Tesla HW2 Autopilot Software Update: Features, Compatible Models, Modes And More

Tesla has finally starting rolling out its HW2 update to all of its cars built since October 2016. The cars receiving the update will include Model S and Model X as indicated by CEO Elon Musk in a tweet Saturday.

The HW2 update has been in the works for some time now. The company released an update in non-actuated mode Jan. 16 and the new update is the fully actuated version of the same update.

HW2 or Hardware 2 update is an over-the-air software update, which will add a slew of features to Teslas equipped with second-generation Autopilot hardware. Up till now, these particular cars have lacked some features that were present in previous generation cars. But customers who bought these newer Teslas still need to have their on-board cameras adjusted by Tesla’s service department for the Autopilot and semi-autonomous features to work properly.

The update has been issued as the new cars’ software is still under work despite the superior hardware. Tesla claims the hardware is physically capable of controlling the car in all circumstances. The new software update seems to be edging towards that.

So what does the HW2 update offer?

It will have a speed-limited version of the company’s Autosteer feature, a part of the Autopilot system. The feature will limit the cars’ maximum speed to 45 miles per hour and is designated for use on highways with clear lane markings. Additionally, it will help the car maintain position within its lane in slow-moving traffic.

Autosteer works using the car’s traffic-aware cruise control (TACC) system which is included in the update. TACC will adjust the car's speed in accordance with the car in front, decelerating and accelerating as needed, limited to a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour.

Another new feature is the Forward Collision Warning, which will alert the driver when there is an object in the path of the car and a collision is likely.

All models fitted with HW2 hardware, including the new Model S and Model X would get the update.

Despite Tesla’s ambitious plans of having major revisions of its cars every 12 to 18 months, the company still seems to be struggling with software updates as the newer models still lack features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, which automatically puts the brakes into action to prevent vehicles from crashing, neither can they parallel park like older vehicles.