Tesla’s autopilot lets cars drive, change lanes themselves

Electric car maker Tesla Motors is leapfrogging competitors with a new autopilot system that lets cars change lanes by themselves. Like other semi-autonomous systems already available from Mercedes, Audi and Volvo, Tesla’s system automatically keeps the car within its lane and maintains a certain distance from the car in front, both at highway speeds and on city streets. It can find a parking spot and parallel park itself. It also uses cameras and sensors to warn drivers about potential side impacts. But analysts say the lane-changing feature is an industry first.

I think this is going to be quite a profound experience for people.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said fully autonomous, hands-free driving is still at least three years away from a technical standpoint, although it will probably take regulators longer than that to allow it. The autopilot update will be added to around 60,000 vehicles worldwide, including Model S sedans made after September 2014 and Model X SUVs. Owners will get the system through a software update starting Wednesday evening in North America.

It will change people’s perception of the future quite drastically.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Technology