Elon Musk recently tweeted that an updated version of the autopilot feature (HW2) for Tesla self-driving cars, was expected to be rolled-out as early as next week.
The new upgrades include: auto lane change, autopark, collision warning and avoidance, upgraded autosteer capabilities, and much more. The new tech updates are going to allow for a new version of Autopilot to be updated. The new version is set to be upgraded continually every month and eventually it will become fully autonomous so that Tesla drivers can choose to have the car drive for them.
Next year is expected to be a big one for Musk, as Tesla gets ready to unveil the Model 3 into the hands of consumers.
Tesla has already pre-sold over 100,000 of the cars to eager buyers and it's claimed that people were also required to put down a $1000 deposit before they were even able to see the car. One guy even camped out for almost 2 days so he could try and be one of the first ones to reserve a car. Consumers have already been able to visit and experience the prototype vehicles that were unveiled/operating in Los Angeles, but it still might be a few months or the better part of a year before we will start to see them on the road in a traditional fashion.
Making The Goods
In order to get ready to produce all of the goods, Tesla has launched the development of its own Gigafactory complex that's located in Nevada. This complex is going to be used in order to produce all of the batteries that will be needed. The photographer of this photo (seen above) of the Tesla complex made a HQ drone video of the property, seen below.
It's alleged that Tesla has an optimistic expected production rate of about 500,000 cars per year.
A typical buyer will be looking to spend at least $35,000 US or more if they want to acquire one of these cars. It's also been suggested, to the disappointment of many, that Tesla will not be offering any free supercharging services for the Model 3, as well as Model X or S vehicles that are purchased after Jan 1, 2017. But they did suggest that free long distance supercharging might be available with the Model 3.
Pics:
Matthew Roberts
Tesla
Sources:
https://www.cnet.com/news/teslas-elon-musk-to-ring-in-2017-with-self-driving-cars/
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/23/tesla-upgraded-autopilot-release/
https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/01/tesla-model-3-first-drive/
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/23/drone-footage-shows-tesla-s-gigafactory-taking-shape/
http://www.ibtimes.com.au/tesla-model-3-very-much-track-automaker-could-be-focusing-quality-control-issues-1537812
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-tesla-model-3-chargers-20160601-snap-story.html
https://electrek.co/2016/11/17/elon-musk-tesla-model-3-include-free-long-distance-charging/
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/234896-no-free-lunch-tesla-model-3-owners-will-pay-for-supercharger-access
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/interviews/a28661/meet-the-guy-waiting-to-be-first-in-line-to-reserve-a-model-3/