
Audio By Carbonatix
Tesla has withdrawn its latest "full self-driving" car software update after drivers complained of problems.
Some drivers reported intermittent issues such as safety alerts sounding, despite no danger being present.
The latest version was rolled back on Sunday afternoon, less than a day after it was released.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said there were "some issues" with this version, but it was "to be expected with beta software".
A few hours earlier, Mr Musk said the launch would be delayed because the company's quality assurance team had found "regression in some left turns at traffic lights".
Seeing some issues with 10.3, so rolling back to 10.2 temporarily.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 24, 2021
Please note, this is to be expected with beta software. It is impossible to test all hardware configs in all conditions with internal QA, hence public beta.
But it was released anyway, before being quickly withdrawn on Sunday after drivers reported the problems.
It comes as Tesla raised the price of four of its electric vehicles in the US.
Safety questions
Thatcham Research, which conducts safety tests for motor insurers in the UK, said there were concerns over Tesla's move to beta-test new software with real-world drivers.
"The challenge you've got is you're allowing your customers to be the guinea pigs," said Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham.
"There are obvious safety challenges with customers trying it out, and either misunderstanding it or getting it wrong.
"There's a risk that there could be systems that are not safe, which could lead to potential accidents."
Despite the name, Tesla's semi-autonomous driving technology cannot be used as a substitute for a driver.
The company still instructs its users to keep their hands on the wheel at all times, and a warning sounds if they fail to do so.
Mr Avery said that while a risk existed with beta software in Tesla's cars, the fact that the car is not truly autonomous is important.
"There is no such thing as full self-driving," he said. "That's very much a marketing term. These vehicles are still assisted driving... effectively the car supporting you.
"These systems are not taking over on behalf of the driver."
Latest Stories
-
EU envoys meet to negotiate 21st Russia sanctions package
22 minutes -
Actor Rebel Wilson did not defame colleague in social media posts, Australian court finds
33 minutes -
Fewer children got US-backed HIV treatment after aid cuts, study finds
39 minutes -
Nike to tighten online sales in China amid ‘cluttered’ marketplace
48 minutes -
Iraq’s oil minister says US energy deals worth about $200 billion
1 hour -
Oil prices rise slightly after US announces new round of strikes on Iran
1 hour -
US, China to hold AI talks in September, sources say
2 hours -
Alphabet’s Gemini delay, spending worries loom over earnings
2 hours -
TikTok US chief security officer to testify before US House on September 15
2 hours -
OpenAI says AI models went rogue during testing, triggering ‘unprecedented’ breach at startup
2 hours -
Great Apes kiss and cuddle to keep the peace, says study
2 hours -
Iraola wants Mac Allister & Alisson to stay with Liverpool
2 hours -
Bournemouth reject £64m bid from Chelsea for Scott
2 hours -
Al-Hilal agree £60m deal for West Ham’s Summerville
3 hours -
‘Pressure is intense and scrutiny constant’ – referee Taylor retires
3 hours