Musk Announces Major Shift for Tesla’s FSD: losing Beta Moniker

Tesla, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is preparing to transition its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software from its current beta status with the release of its Version 12 update. This bold move was revealed by the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, via a Twitter post.

The concept of FSD Beta was introduced back in October 2020, marking a significant step in the realm of driver-assist systems. Since its inception, the system has gone through numerous improvements. In fact, with the unveiling of FSD Beta Version 11, Tesla began using a unified software system for both city and highway driving, with several updates subsequently introduced under the V11 umbrella.

Yet, Musk’s tweet suggesting that “Version 12 won’t be beta” sparked a wave of excitement in the EV industry. However, it’s crucial to approach such a shift with a degree of caution. Musk’s statement could merely indicate the removal of the ‘beta’ label rather than a significant overhaul of the system. For instance, Tesla’s Autopilot feature is essentially in beta mode, despite not bearing the ‘beta’ tag.

On the other hand, Musk’s announcement might hint at a significant transformation, an uncharacteristic move for Tesla. The Autopilot system, despite its current beta status, is one of the most advanced driver-assist systems available on the market.

The removal of the beta label from FSD would symbolize Tesla’s growing confidence in the system’s capabilities. The company has been tirelessly honing the FSD suite, and given that production for Dojo, an AI training supercomputer, is set to kick off in July, the advancements in the system are likely to be substantial.

However, Tesla enthusiasts may have to wait a little longer for the arrival of Version 12, as the automaker could continue to refine FSD Beta Version 11 until it attains a level of safety and proficiency that justifies the removal of the ‘beta’ designation. This pivotal change marks a significant milestone in the evolution of autonomous driving technology.