Elon MUSK says that Tesla will use more than 21 sensors for advanced driver assistant system
This week, Tesla announced that all Tesla vehicles produced in their factory – including Model 3 – will have the improved sensors for full self-driving capability.
Beginning with vehicles manufactured in late 2014, all new Tesla Model S vehicles come equipped with a camera mounted at the top of the windshield, forward looking radar, and ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers.
Triggered by the deadly accident in this May, Tesla’s CEO, Mr. Elon Musk, indicated that Tesla will update the Autopilot in end of September/early October to Autopilot 8.0. They’ll change the camera-as-the-primary-technology ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistant System) to radar-as-the-primary-technology ADAS.
Touch Display Research believes Tesla’s radar-as-the-primary ADAS still needs camera in it, since radar can’t detect the traffic light color, nor pained lines for lanes. Camera is still necessary in the ADAS.
This week, Tesla announced they’ll integrate more than 21 sensors for their cars: 8 surround cameras provide 360 degree visibility around the car. 12 updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for detection of both hard and soft objects. A forward-facing radar with enhanced processing capable of seeing through heavy rain, fog, dust and even the car ahead.
To process all the data collected from the 21 sensors, Tesla also upgraded their new onboard computer with more than 40 times the computing power of the previous generation.