Tesla has been making waves in the auto industry with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, and its latest update, FSD Beta V11.4.2, is no exception. The update, which was recently released to employees and customers, includes bug fixes and a significant increase in the visible range of the B-pillar camera.
According to Chuck Cook, who conducted a recent test of the update, the visible range of the B-pillar camera expanded from 262 feet (80 meters) to 623 feet (190 meters) on narrow and unmarked roads. While the issue with narrow roads with a centerline has been fixed, the behavior on roads without markings is still mixed.
One of the most impressive aspects of FSD Beta v11.4.2 is its lateral perception, which allows the car to detect and respond to objects and vehicles on either side of the vehicle. The maximum vehicle detection range for the left lateral perception of FSD Beta v11.4.2 is now 125-190 meters, and for the right lateral perception, it is 120-150 meters. These ranges are roughly 1.5-2.5 times the 80-meter detection range that Tesla has been advertising on its website for eight years.
The FSD Beta V11.4.2 update further expands the visible range, allowing for a range of 400-600 feet if the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 50-60 miles per hour. This extends the FSD system’s response time to 7-8 seconds, meaning it can detect road conditions ahead earlier and provide the driver with more time to react.
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So, what’s behind FSD Beta v11.4.2 impressive lateral perception? According to Chuck Cook, it’s a combination of factors, including the training based on photon counts and the fact that the camera data is not processed by an ISP. This allows for more accurate and reliable detection of objects and vehicles on either side of the car.
One interesting question that arises from these improvements is why the detection range is different for the left and right cameras, even though their parameters are the same. One possibility is that Tesla used a locally enhanced perception algorithm, which enhances lateral perception when the car approaches an unprotected left turn at an intersection. If the lateral perception ability is dynamically changing, it is difficult to obtain completely consistent detection ranges.
Despite these questions, the improvements to FSD Beta v11.4.2 lateral perception are a significant step forward for autonomous driving technology. The more accurate and reliable the detection system, the safer and more efficient autonomous driving will become. And with Tesla leading the charge, it’s clear that the future of self-driving is closer than ever before.
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