Tesla announced this week that it will stop installing ultrasonic sensor on Model 3 and Model Y in the next few months. It will then stop installing the part in Model S and Model X in 2023. Ultrasonic sensors are another tool Tesla has used to sense the world around it so far. This component is mainly used for short distance detection to help issue collision warnings and parking.
Tesla wrote that like previous radar sensors, the role played by ultrasonic sensors will be replaced by camera systems. The automaker currently used in FSD Beta "vision-based occupancy network" will replace ultrasonic sensors. However, "in a short period of this transition period", vehicles without ultrasonic sensors will not have parking assist , automatic parking, intelligent summoning and other functions.
However, Tesla said that once these features are "at the same level as today's vehicles", it will re-add them with wireless updates. All other Autopilot and FSD features will be enabled at delivery. “Given the progressive improvements that Tesla Vision has achieved and our roadmap for future Autopilot improvements and capabilities, we believe this is the best strategy for Autopilot’s future and customer safety,” the automaker said.
As mentioned above, the move follows a similar move announced in 2021, when it began transitioning to using cameras as the only sensor for Autopilot and FSD. The move has attracted criticism from experts in the field of autonomous driving research, who believe that the comparison between the human eye and the camera is impossible (as Tesla CEO Elon Musk said), and that the ADAS system requires multiple sensors to correctly sense the clear path.
Tesla argued in its release that its ADAS system that relies on Tesla Vision maintains or increases its security rating. However, the transition to the system coincides with a sharp increase in Phantom Braking reports, a dangerous situation where the driver assistance system is confused and starts an emergency stop for no reason. These are shocking to the driver and can be dangerous to the following vehicle.
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