Tesla can now scan for potholes and modify automobile suspension to keep away from injury

Tesla’s newest software program replace features a cool-sounding function that would forestall quite a lot of underbody injury — and maybe some driver injury too, Electrek experiences. In keeping with launch notes, the replace (2022.20) will allow Tesla autos to scan the highway forward of potholes and modify the suspension to account for tough roads.

Tesla house owners can activate the brand new function by deciding on “Consolation” beneath the Adaptive Suspension Damping setting. However the brand new function could also be depending on the place the automobile is being pushed — that means it will not be obtainable for each pothole and highway crack. “This adjustment could happen at varied places, topic to availability, because the automobile downloads tough highway map information generated by Tesla vehicles,” the discharge notes state in line with Not a Tesla App.

Notably, the software program replace is just not relevant to Autopilot or Full Self-Driving, that means the automobile received’t attempt to steer round or keep away from highway injury. Elon Musk has said that Tesla is engaged on a deterrence system utilizing 3D labeling to create pothole maps — however apparently that function continues to be beneath growth. Nonetheless, automated suspension changes are nothing to sneer at. This might forestall quite a lot of automobile injury that would in any other case be unavoidable for drivers.

The replace additionally features a inexperienced gentle chime to assist fight driver distraction. We’ve all been trapped behind some fool who’s paying extra consideration to their cellphone than the visitors sign forward. This new function could assist get rid of incidents of highway rage, or at the very least cut back the chance that you just’ll get honked at by motorists ready behind you.

Electrek notes that the inexperienced gentle function will solely work with autos which can be geared up with the {hardware} 3.0 pc, also called the self-driving pc. “This chime is simply designed as a notification,” the notes add. “It’s the driver’s duty to look at their atmosphere and make choices accordingly.”