Tesla Version 9.0 Software Update Promises First Self-Driving Features
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces that the Version 9.0 software update arrives in August and brings the first features for the Full Self-Driving Capability package. The update marks a significant shift almost two years after the previous major software release.
Tesla prepares to launch its Version 9.0 software update in August, marking the first major overhaul since Version 8.0 in 2016. CEO Elon Musk confirms that this release introduces the first features tied to the Full Self-Driving Capability package for Autopilot 2.0 vehicles. The company already lays the groundwork for this release through a complete neural net rewrite earlier this year and recent updates pushed to the fleet.
This new update finally differentiates between Tesla's Enhanced Autopilot and the more expensive Full Self-Driving Capability packages. While the Enhanced Autopilot package costs $5,000 and focuses on driver assist features like on-ramp and off-ramp navigation, the Full Self-Driving option adds an extra $3,000. Until now, development delays prevent Tesla from offering distinct features for this premium tier.
Despite the ambitious naming, these upcoming features do not mean Tesla vehicles drive themselves autonomously. The release simply activates the initial software functions included in the Full Self-Driving package, which still requires extensive software validation and regulatory approval. As Tesla rolls out these new capabilities, the company continues to emphasize safety as the primary focus of its autonomous driving development.