Tesla Autopilot 2.0 vs. 1.0 – status

There is a question that a lot of Tesla owners are asking these days, is Autopilot 2.0 as good as 1.0 yet? At this point the two generations are pretty much equal as far as Autosteer goes – even though some other features are still lacking. Look below for what features have been implemented, and what features are still missing.

The status of Tesla Autopilot 2.0

I won’t be updating this page further. AP 2.0+ has all the features of AP 1.0 except for sign recognition (unfortunately). AP 1.0 is great in ideal conditions, while AP 2.0+ overall performs significantly better – now I’m waiting for the next leap before updating further. If you have any questions, ask me on Twitter or leave comment below.

Latest tested FW: 2018.32.3, installed on November 2nd 2018

Implemented functionality

  • Autosteer
  • Auto-dimming touchscreen
  • Auto emergency braking
  • Auto high beam headlights
  • Auto lane change (v8.1)
  • Auto low beam headlights
  • Auto windshield wipers (2017.50.3)
  • Autopark – parallel
  • Autopark – perpendicular
  • Blind spot detection
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure warning (v8.1)
  • Side collision avoidance
  • Side collision warning
  • Traffic-aware cruise control
  • Summon (v8.1)
  • Display cars in other lanes (2018.21.9)

Missing AP1 functionality

  • Sign recognition

The road to Full Self Driving

As of June 2018, the list of missing AP1 functionality for AP2 cars is basically depleted. Now we will hopefully start to inch more towards the true potential of Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and eventually the Full Self Driving (FSD) package. Now, just to be clear, “Full Self Driving” in this regard is used to differentiate between the EAP package and FSD. As such, FSD features may start at breaking for intersections, stop lights, or other relatively small features as new abilities start to roll out.

Tesla firmware v.9 will according to Elon Musk be the starting ground for this features to roll out. He recently tweeted that these will start rolling out around August. Take it with a grain of salt though, Elon tends to be a tad optimistic.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between AP1 and AP2?

The second hardware version of Autopilot has has 8 cameras for a 360 degree view, improved ultrasonic sensors and a radar in the front combined with a supercomputer which has the power of about 150 MacBook Pros. This is what eventually will allow it the become a fully self driving car. Further comparison can be seen below.

Tesla Autopilot 1 sensors

Autopilot 1.0

  • 1 front camera
  • Ultrasonic sensors
  • Radar

Tesla Autopilot 2 sensors

Autopilot 2.0

  • 3 front cameras
  • 4 side cameras
  • 1 rear camera
  • Built in supercomputer
  • Improved ultrasonic sensors
  • Radar

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Why did it take so long for AP2 to catch up with AP1?

The short answer is, because AP2 is running all new hardware built in-house and they had to start from scratch in terms of software.

First generation AutoPilot was made possible with hardware and software from a company called MobileEye. Due to disagreements between the two companies, Tesla chose to create its own solution for the second generation of Autopilot.

Creating Tesla Vision without leaning on MobileEye meant that they had to start completely from scratch, which caused delays to Tesla’s timetable. AP1 had similar issues though, it improved a lot through in its first months. We are basically seeing the same over again – just to a bigger degree.

Why doesn’t the rain sensor work on Teslas with AP2?

All of this functionality is part of the new hardware, which has to be trained, calibrated and needs all new software. For now it means AP2 owners need to be a bit patient – but the functionality is on its way.

Update: As of January 2018 it’s finally here, albeit in beta.

When can we expect AP2 to become as good as AP1

Actually, at this point it is. Initially the plan was to have equal capabilities in December 2016, but it wasn’t until the updates released in May 2017 that it become comparable. Although many have argued for a long time that AP1 and AP2 were equally good for some time, as of now AP2 has clearly left AP1 behind. Especially with the v9 firmware, where all cameras are used.

Autopilot 2.5

As of October 2017 Tesla is equipping cars with a new iteration of the Autopilot hardware suite. They have referred to it as being more of a AP2.1 than 2.5, but there are some major differences. There is more computer power, more wiring, different radar unit and even different cameras. As it stands however, none of this makes a difference, and the main change here is supposedly added redundancy.

This has caused some to fear to AP2 won’t be able to achieve what Tesla promised earlier, especially since AP2.5 has more processing power. It has however been confirmed that those who have bought the Full Self Driving package will get an upgraded computer at no cost if it turns out that is actually necessary.

Buying a Tesla? Use my referral link at the purchase of your new Model 3, S or X Read about Referral Program

I'm a webdeveloper based in Oslo, Norway. I currently work with web development at Nettmaker.

I would like to change the world, but they won't give me the source…

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