Smarter software for Tesla

“Our most substantial update yet” is how Tesla describes its new Software Version 9.0.

The ‘Tesla Team’ says the new software now available in North America is “smarter, safer and more intuitive than ever before”.

The update is expected shortly in New Zealand and Australia.

Every single Model S, Model X and Model 3 ever built will receive new features and improvements from Software Version 9.0, Tesla says.

“This is just the latest reminder that when you own a Tesla, you own a car that will only get better over time.”

Version 9.0 introduces a refined and simplified user interface, along with entirely new features for Model S, Model X, and Model 3, as well as on Tesla’s mobile app.

So what’s new?

Using the Tesla app initiates a vehicle software update remotely and a destination can be sent to the car’s navigation using your phone.

Passengers can access media controls from their mobile devices.

Vehicles with Hardware 2.5 (introduced in August 2017) allow recording and storage from a dash cam.

All apps are brought together in one place, and three new apps for the Model 3 include web-browsing capabilities and the ability to monitor energy consumption in real-time or view the projected energy use for an upcoming trip.

Updated climate controls include Model S and Model X cold weather control access for heaters, easy Model 3 temperature adjustment and more.

Software Version 9.0 will also allow expansion of existing autopilot features with future over-the-air updates and all-new functionality in coming months.

Navigate on autopilot will initially be released in “shadow mode” – a dormant logging-only mode which lets Tesla validate the performance of the feature in the background based on millions of miles of real-world driving. “Once validation is complete, we will introduce navigate on autopilot as a beta feature to customers in the US. Navigate on autopilot will be introduced in other markets in the future pending validation and regulatory approval.”

All eight external cameras from the full self-driving hardware now provide a 360-degree view, aiding blind spot monitoring and also displaying vehicles classes such as bikes and light or heavy-duty trucks and where vehicles are in relation to the Tesla.

Enhanced navigation routing is added, along with obstacle-aware navigation where if an obstacle is detected at low speed, such as while parking, accidental acceleration is prevented.

While parked, classic arcade games from Atari are now discoverable as hidden Easter eggs with the car becoming a game console with controls on the touchscreen and steering wheel.

Browser applications are unavailable in Australia due to regulations there, Tesla says.