Tesla Releases FSD v12.6 Update For HW3 Vehicles Just In Time For Year-End

In a last-minute push before year’s end, Tesla has begun rolling out a significant update to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, bringing substantial improvements to electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with older Hardware 3 (HW3) computers.

Tesla’s AI Vice President, Ashok Elluswamy, confirmed that the update incorporates select improvements from the upcoming version 13, emphasizing the company’s effort to enhance the driving experience for owners of older vehicles. The initial rollout targets Model S and Model X vehicles, with Model 3 and Model Y updates expected within a week.

The most notable enhancement in FSD 12.6 is the introduction of end-to-end neural network processing for highway driving, a feature that previously was only available for city street navigation. This advancement aims for more intuitive lane selection and smoother merging at highway speeds, bringing older vehicles more in line with the capabilities of newer Hardware 4 (HW4) equipped cars.

City driving also sees major improvements, with Tesla addressing common user complaints about false braking at green lights and inconsistent obstacle detection. The update introduces three customizable driving profiles – Chill, Standard, and Hurry – allowing drivers to personalize their EV’s behavior on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h ( 50 mph) or higher. These profiles affect everything from lane change frequency to speed limit adherence, with the system allowing for speed adjustments up to 40% above or below-posted limits.

A redesigned controller, borrowed from the upcoming version 13, represents one of the most substantial improvements. This enhancement results in more precise object tracking and vehicle path prediction, leading to smoother acceleration, braking, and cornering. The system also features refined lane change logic, making decisions earlier and more naturally than in previous versions.

The update, designated as software version 2024.45.25.10, presents Tesla’s ability to seriously improve its vehicles’ capabilities through over-the-air (OTA) updates. While the initial rollout is limited to a subset of vehicles, Tesla plans to expand availability in the coming weeks, ensuring that a broader range of its fleet benefits from these advancements.

This development comes as particularly welcome news for owners of HW3-equipped vehicles, as it narrows the capability gap between older and newer Tesla models. The update not only enhances existing features but also introduces new functionalities that improve both safety and convenience.

Read More: Tesla’s FSD v13.2.1 Update: Bridging The Gap Between Old And New Hardware

As the EV market sees rapid evolution toward autonomous driving, Tesla’s dedication to updating older vehicles illustrates a long-term approach to customer support and vehicle longevity. The comprehensive nature of this update, delivered just hours before the end of 2024, implies that Tesla remains focused on improving its entire fleet’s capabilities, regardless of hardware generation.

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