Some Tesla Motors vehicles can park themselves without a driver inside with a software update beamed to customers over the weekend.
The update also puts new speed limits on Tesla's semi-autonomous autopilot mode and makes several enhancements, including automatically slowing when the car is approaching a curve and keeping the car in its lane even when the lane markings are faded.
CEO Elon Musk said the parking feature is a 'baby step' toward his eventual goal: Letting drivers summon their self-driving, self-charging cars from anywhere using their phones.
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Some Tesla Motors vehicles can park themselves without a driver inside with a software update beamed to customers over the Jan. 9-10 weekend. Elon Musk said the parking feature is a 'baby step' toward his eventual goal: Letting drivers summon their self-driving, self-charging cars from anywhere using their phones
Two year goal: In this September 29, 2015 file photo, the Tesla Model X is presented during a launch event in Femont, California.'I actually think, and I might be slightly optimistic on this, within two years you'll be able to summon your car from across the country,' Musk said on Sunday
'I actually think, and I might be slightly optimistic on this, within two years you'll be able to summon your car from across the country,' Musk said on a conference call with reporters.
'This is the first little step in that direction.'
For now, though, the system isn't truly autonomous.
'It's more like remote-control parking,' Musk said.
Owners must line up their Model S sedan or Model X SUV within 33 feet of the space they want it to drive or back into.
They must then stand within 10 feet and direct the car to park itself using the key fob or Tesla's smartphone app.
The car can also exit the spot when the driver summons it. If it's going into a home garage, it can also open and close the garage door.
A Tesla car owner by the name of James Majerus posted video of his Model S 7.1 car self parking to Youtube on Saturday.
Footage: A Tesla car owner by the name of James Majerus posted video of his Model S 7.1 car self parking to Youtube on Saturday. Pictured here is Majerus pressing the button on a remote so that the car can self park
Self driving: The Tesla driverless car then begins to roll into the driveway until it makes its way into the garage
Parked: The car is able to safely park in the garage and stops when fully parked. Tesla says the system is helpful for tight parking spots, but cautions that it should only be used on private property since it can't detect every potential obstacle
In the footage he can be seen pushing a button on a small remote. The car then begins to roll into the driveway until it makes its way into the garage.
Tesla says the system is helpful for tight parking spots, but cautions that it should only be used on private property since it can't detect every potential obstacle. The car could hit bikes hanging from a garage ceiling, for example.
The software update also puts new speed limits on Tesla's semi-autonomous mode.
The car will now only drive at or slightly above the speed limit when the Autopilot mode is being used on residential roads and on roads without a center divider. If the car enters such an area in Autopilot mode, it will automatically slow down.
Musk said he's not aware of any accidents caused when a Tesla was driving in Autopilot mode, but he thinks the change won't be a problem for owners.
'On roads without a center divider, where there's potential for a more serious collision, it makes sense not to go more than five miles per hour above the speed limit,' he said.
The updates will go into about 60,000 vehicles, including Model S sedans made after September 2014 and the new Model X SUV.
Tesla isn't the only company working on self driving cars.
Google, General Motors Co., and Ford Motor Co.are also working on the endeavor, according to Bloomberg.
General Motors said that week that they will invest $500 million in the ride-sharing company Lyft to work with the company on developing self driving vehicles.
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