“Delays in FSD Availability for New Tesla Hardware: Musk’s Announcement Shifts Focus to HW3 Performance”

Tesla customers across North America have been presented with an intriguing opportunity during the current quarter-end. The chance to swap the Full Self-Driving (FSD) option for additional Autopilot features while purchasing a new vehicle could save them a hefty $15,000. This move has been long-awaited, given that the FSD option hasn’t entirely lived up to its name, failing to deliver fully independent driving. Elon Musk’s mid-July announcement about the option transfer was met with enthusiasm. However, a recent update has revealed that electric cars equipped with the latest FSD autopilot hardware will not receive beta software anytime soon.
Emergence of New Tesla Hardware without FSD Software
Earlier this year, early indications of Tesla’s fourth-generation Autopilot hardware (HW4) began to appear in new North American Model S and Model X vehicles. The transition to HW4 has also commenced for Model Y in the region, and experts anticipate the Model 3 to follow suit, potentially coinciding with the Highland refresh.
A recent side-by-side comparison highlighted that the HW4 cameras in Tesla vehicles indeed offer sharper and more accurate color images. Unfortunately, the new hardware comes with a significant drawback: Tesla’s FSD software has not yet been adapted for it. Consequently, even if a customer has purchased the FSD option, its features won’t be accessible until the software has been tailored for HW4. Elon Musk clarified this situation over the weekend, indicating that FSD software for HW4 will not be available until at least early 2024.
This revelation came in response to a query posed by a prominent follower on Twitter. The follower had inquired about potential delays in participating in the FSD beta test when buying a new Tesla. Musk explained that the software development for HW4 would require a minimum of six additional months compared to the earlier hardware version (HW3). This extension is essential to ensure the optimal performance of FSD on HW3 and its successful international rollout.
Dilemma for North American Tesla Customers
Musk’s announcement brings a mixed bag of news for Tesla customers. For those residing outside North America who have yet to experience even a beta version of FSD, there is newfound hope. However, for most US buyers, the situation isn’t as favorable. Those looking to take advantage of the FSD option transfer offer on a new Tesla will likely need to wait until at least February 2024. Given that Musk has mentioned this transfer will occur just once and remain open until the end of September, customers find themselves in a dilemma. This scenario is exacerbated by Musk’s tendency to provide overly optimistic timelines for autopilot advancements.
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