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| Tesla launches 'autopilot' update but urges caution | Tesla launches 'autopilot' update but urges caution |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tesla has launched a software update for its vehicles - enabling the cars to have an "autopilot" mode. | Tesla has launched a software update for its vehicles - enabling the cars to have an "autopilot" mode. |
| While not fully self-driving, the software means the Model S and new Model X can "automatically steer down the highway, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic". | While not fully self-driving, the software means the Model S and new Model X can "automatically steer down the highway, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic". |
| Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the autopilot mode was designed to increase driver confidence on the road. | Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the autopilot mode was designed to increase driver confidence on the road. |
| However, Mr Musk said users adopting the software - available in North America from Thursday - should exercise caution while using it. | |
| "It should not hit pedestrians, hopefully," he told the media. "It should handle them well." | "It should not hit pedestrians, hopefully," he told the media. "It should handle them well." |
| He added that if the car is involved in a collision, the driver is still liable. | He added that if the car is involved in a collision, the driver is still liable. |
| "The driver cannot abdicate responsibility. That will come at some point in the future." | "The driver cannot abdicate responsibility. That will come at some point in the future." |
| Other regions of the world would be updated in the next couple of weeks pending regulatory approval. | Other regions of the world would be updated in the next couple of weeks pending regulatory approval. |
| The software uses a combination of cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and mapping data to determine its position and navigate. | The software uses a combination of cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and mapping data to determine its position and navigate. |
| When the car has arrived at its destination, it is able to scan for an available space and park itself. | When the car has arrived at its destination, it is able to scan for an available space and park itself. |
| Unlike Google, which is aiming for a fully-autonomous vehicle, Tesla's approach is to gradually introduce features which take away the need for drivers to carry out certain functions. | Unlike Google, which is aiming for a fully-autonomous vehicle, Tesla's approach is to gradually introduce features which take away the need for drivers to carry out certain functions. |
| Currently there are limitations to the software which would improve over time, Mr Musk said. | Currently there are limitations to the software which would improve over time, Mr Musk said. |
| "If there's heavy snow it's going to be harder for the system to work, so we'd advise caution. | "If there's heavy snow it's going to be harder for the system to work, so we'd advise caution. |
| "Essentially it's like a person - how well can a person figure out what route they should take. Over time it will be better than a person. | "Essentially it's like a person - how well can a person figure out what route they should take. Over time it will be better than a person. |
| "Long term it will be way better than a person. It never gets tired, it's never had anything to drink, it's never arguing with someone in the car. It's not distracted." | "Long term it will be way better than a person. It never gets tired, it's never had anything to drink, it's never arguing with someone in the car. It's not distracted." |
| Other car manufacturers such as BMW and Volvo are also developing, and implementing, autonomous features to their cars. | Other car manufacturers such as BMW and Volvo are also developing, and implementing, autonomous features to their cars. |
| Google's entirely self-driving car has clocked up well over one million miles on public roads, mostly in California. | Google's entirely self-driving car has clocked up well over one million miles on public roads, mostly in California. |
| Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC |