Tesla releases a comprehensive self-driving update, warning users that "it may do the wrong thing at the worst possible time."

Image Credit: gizmodo

Years after its anticipated debut, Tesla finally released Beta version 9 of its Full Self-Driving system, but warned users that the program "may do the wrong thing in the worst moment."

CEO Elon Musk of Tesla, who has become well-known for breaking deadlines, first said that beta version 9 would be released in 2018, then in 2019, and most recently no later than this past June. Musk promised Tesla supporters at the beginning of the month that the update will be released soon and explained the delay by the fact that generalized self-driving is more difficult than he anticipated.

Tesla mentions improvements in driving visualization in images of the update's release notes that have been posted on social media. According to the photos, the upgrade will show "more surrounding information" on the in-car display. Improved technology for the cabin camera above the rearview mirror, which Tesla claims will detect “driver inattentiveness” and provide audio reminders to drivers who fail to maintain their eyes on the road when using autopilot systems, is also included.

Importantly, Tesla says that if you do not want your pictures taken by this camera to be shared, you may opt-out of having them shared.

Unless you allow data sharing, the system will not be able to store or send information since the camera pictures will not leave the car itself, according to the company's release notes.

It is not yet known how much of an upgrade beta version 9 will bring to Tesla's Full Self-Driving system compared to previous versions. Musk issued a warning on Friday, stating that the firm has been trying to resolve many known problems, but that something might still go wrong.

In a TWEET, Musk wrote, "Beta 9 solves the vast majority of known problems, but there will still be undiscovered issues, so please be paranoid." “At Tesla, safety is always the number one priority.”

According to Electrek, beta version 9 is now only available to individuals who are members of Tesla's early access program, which includes around 2,000 Tesla owners, the bulk of whom are Tesla workers, according to the publication.

It should be emphasized that, despite the name of the system, the system does not enable the vehicle to drive itself, despite the fact that it is unquestionably a sophisticated driver assistance system. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, it is officially a level 2 driver-assist system, which implies that an automated system is responsible for the majority of the driving, steering, braking, and acceleration, but a person must remain aware and ready to take control at any time.

Despite the fact that Tesla enthusiasts were overjoyed by the upgrade, the company's autopilot technologies are now under increased scrutiny from regulators. According to police, two men were killed in April in Texas after a Tesla, which authorities suspect had no one in the driver's seat, slammed into a tree and caught on fire. Nonetheless, there have been reports of individuals using Tesla's autopilot systems while sleeping or intoxicated at the wheel, or while staring at their phones, throughout the years.

In a recent regulation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated that businesses must report incidents using driver assistance or autonomous systems within one day of becoming aware of them. The rule is effective immediately.