Photo: Tesla
Tesla is constantly improving the ownership experience thanks to its over-the-air software updates. The EV maker will enhance the navigation system with speed-camera and red-light-camera awareness in an upcoming update. Tesla will also bring features like "Avoid construction on route" and U-turn control in the Teslamaps app.
Even though Tesla might have the best in-car software among car companies, owners still decry the lack of smartphone integration, e.g., Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Teslamaps is very good for navigation but doesn't offer crowd-sourced reports like Waze does. This is why many Tesla owners use a phone stand to have Waze warn them about speed traps, car crashes, and objects on the road.
Earlier this year, Tesla enthusiast Green (@greentheonly) analyzed Tesla software to see how Tesla vehicles plot a route and issue directions in the nav app. Green discovered that Tesla does much more than simply use Google Maps data. Instead, the EV maker fetches the data from Google Maps and feeds it into its own routing engine. Tesla combines road and traffic data with data gathered by other Tesla EVs driving through the area.
It also uses FSD and Autopilot data to enhance navigation and vice versa, so FSD will drive better in areas where other Teslas have driven before. The navigation is also more likely to recommend a route where Autopilot and FSD have performed well for other drivers. Still, Tesla owners asked Tesla for the possibility of reporting speed cameras or road hazards, the same way Waze does. Tesla appears to be moving in the right direction, judging by the latest software additions to its navigation system.
With the software version 2023.38 released in October, Tesla hinted at adding the ability to send road reports automatically when the vehicle's cameras detect objects on the road. A corresponding alert will be sent to other Teslas driving in the area and, potentially, to other road users if subscribed to an alert service that uses Tesla data. However, Tesla is quickly expanding this traffic alert system with new features, as revealed by another piece of Green's work.
Tesla software version 2023.27.12, which shipped with FSD Beta V11.4.8.1 on December 1, brings speed camera alerts for both fixed and mobile cameras. Tesla cars on this software version can also alert drivers of red light cameras, as well as combined (light plus speed) cameras via Teslamaps. The same software version also comes with the option to "avoid construction on route" and U-turn control.
The mere presence of these features doesn't mean they will be activated soon. The good news is that these features will likely roll out to all Tesla vehicles in the future, including outside of North America. It's also unclear whether the drivers will be able to report the speed traps themselves as they do on Waze. An alternative would be to use a database (proprietary or third-party) containing camera locations.
Earlier this year, Tesla enthusiast Green (@greentheonly) analyzed Tesla software to see how Tesla vehicles plot a route and issue directions in the nav app. Green discovered that Tesla does much more than simply use Google Maps data. Instead, the EV maker fetches the data from Google Maps and feeds it into its own routing engine. Tesla combines road and traffic data with data gathered by other Tesla EVs driving through the area.
It also uses FSD and Autopilot data to enhance navigation and vice versa, so FSD will drive better in areas where other Teslas have driven before. The navigation is also more likely to recommend a route where Autopilot and FSD have performed well for other drivers. Still, Tesla owners asked Tesla for the possibility of reporting speed cameras or road hazards, the same way Waze does. Tesla appears to be moving in the right direction, judging by the latest software additions to its navigation system.
With the software version 2023.38 released in October, Tesla hinted at adding the ability to send road reports automatically when the vehicle's cameras detect objects on the road. A corresponding alert will be sent to other Teslas driving in the area and, potentially, to other road users if subscribed to an alert service that uses Tesla data. However, Tesla is quickly expanding this traffic alert system with new features, as revealed by another piece of Green's work.
Tesla software version 2023.27.12, which shipped with FSD Beta V11.4.8.1 on December 1, brings speed camera alerts for both fixed and mobile cameras. Tesla cars on this software version can also alert drivers of red light cameras, as well as combined (light plus speed) cameras via Teslamaps. The same software version also comes with the option to "avoid construction on route" and U-turn control.
The mere presence of these features doesn't mean they will be activated soon. The good news is that these features will likely roll out to all Tesla vehicles in the future, including outside of North America. It's also unclear whether the drivers will be able to report the speed traps themselves as they do on Waze. An alternative would be to use a database (proprietary or third-party) containing camera locations.
2023.27.12 (the new beta 11.4.8.1) brings us speed cam awareness (both fixed and mobile) and red light cam and a combination (light+speed), via Teslamaps.
— green (@greentheonly) December 3, 2023
A number of navigation features are in the wings including "avoid constrution on route" and uturn control.
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