Exclusive: Tesla 2020.12.11.1 OTA Software Update Stops At Crosswalks & Traffic Light Improvements

Tesla’s 2020.12.11.1 OTA software update makes Autopilot capable of stopping at crosswalks, and drivers will get better traffic light visualization. Elon Musk talked a bit about Autopilot’s progress in the last Earnings Call. He seemed hopeful that Robotaxi could be out by next year if it isn’t launched by the end of 2020.

Tesla's steady progress with Autopilot will be revealed in the next update. It appears the EV automaker will be making small tweaks to improve Autopilot little by little until FSD is ready for wide release. These slight improvements will make FSD whole when pieced together.

Credit: Tesmanian

Tesla’s last big OTA software update, 2020.12.10, introduced driving visualization improvements that were notably a considerable step closer to Full Self-Driving. “The driving visualization can now display additional objects which include [stoplights], stop signs, and select road markings. The stop sign and stop light visualizations are not a substitute for an attentive driver and will not stop the car,” said the release notes. Tesla update 2020.12.10 was officially released a week or two before TLSA’s Earnings Call.

OTA update 2020.12.11.1 refines some of the Autopilot updates Tesla already introduced. Autopilot will stop at crosswalks in Tesla’s upcoming OTA software update in addition to STOP signs and red traffic lights. It seems that Tesla has also improved traffic light visualization in 2020.12.11.1 since the light signals are noticeably brighter.

Update 2020.12.11.1 testing seems to be underway, although it is unclear how far it has come in Tesla’s extensive testing process. Elon Musk explained the rigorous testing of each feature during the Earnings Call.

Credit: Tesmanian

“Before we release any functionality, it goes through extensive testing. First, we have a simulations team that has, I think, a very good simulation of the real world. So, we run any car changes through battery tests and simulation. Then we have a global QA team, which I’m on, actually. I’m on the global QA team.

“And we test the releases in the real world, in the real world map and find out the differences between the real world and the simulation which are very many, because the world is very complex and weird. And then, we release it to a small group of private beta testers within the Company. Then to a larger beta audience, including people outside the Company; then to Early Access Tesla owners; and then finally, a broad release,” Musk explained, answering Gene Munster’ s—from Loup Ventures—question.

Featured Image Credit: Tesla