Tesla’s beta version of Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control has been slowly rolling out to beta testers all over the world for the past few weeks. The feature was first mentioned three weeks ago, then Tesla engineers proceeded to slowly roll out the feature in subsequent software updates in 2020.12.5.6, 2020.12.10, and 2020.12.5.7, all those updates included the Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control feature. Now it appears the 2020.12.6 is rolling out in masses for the Autopilot users with Full Self Driving installed.
Tesla Software Update 2020.12.6 Features
Here are the three main features in this udpate.
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control
- Vehicles with Autopilot with Full Self Driving will be able to recognize traffic lights and stop signs. When the vehicle rolls up to a red light or stop sign, it will respond to the signals and stop. Once the vehicle stops, driver will have to engage with the vehicle to proceed each time it stops by stepping on the gas pedal.
- Dashcam Viewer
- This is one of the most useful features to date. If you have Sentry Mode active or would like to look at the dashcam footages, before this update, you would need to unplug the USB drive and take it up to your computer to view the footages. Now with this Tesla Dashcam viewer, you can view the Sentry Mode activities and dashcam footage right on your Tesla screen. Should come in handy.
- Launch Mode (aka Cheetah Stance)
- tesla launch mode allows a quicker acceleration, you can find lots of videos on Youtube showing tesla smoking other race cars with this feature. Now Telsa is making launch mode even more powerful, they added the “Cheetah Stance.”
- As you can see demonstrated in this video, launch mode will lower the front of the car into a “cheetah stance”. The mean looking stance mimics the predator ready to take off and pounce! Launch mode reduces the ground clearance of the front axle through its adaptive suspension (which tesla calls Raven) to improve traction during acceleration.
How well does the Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control work?
According to Dirty tesla, this feature does not appear ready for the real world. What a shit show tesla!
But it seems to work fairly well for others. Keep in mind this feature is still in beta.
Tesla Software Update 2020.12.6 Release Notes
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (Beta)
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control is designed to recognize and respond to traffic lights and stop signs, slowing your car to a stop when using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer. This feature will slow the car for all detected traffic lights, including green, blinking yellow, and off lights. As your car approaches an intersection, your car will indicate the intention to slow down via a notification, slow down, and stop at the red line shown on the driving visualization.
To continue through the stop line, pull the Autopilot stalk once or briefly press the accelerator pedal to confirm that it is safe to proceed. As with all Autopilot features, you must continue to pay attention and be ready to take immediate action, including braking because this feature may not stop for all traffic controls. This feature will be conservative, slowdown often at first, and will not attempt to turn through intersections. Over time, as we learn from the fleet, the feature will control more naturally.
To continue through the stop line, push down the gear selector once or briefly press the accelerator pedal to confirm that it is safe to proceed. As with all Autopilot features, you must continue to pay attention and be ready to take immediate action, including braking because this feature may not stop for all traffic controls. This feature will be conservative, slowdown often at first, and will not attempt to turn through intersections. Over time, as we learn from the fleet, the feature will control more naturally.
To enable, shift your car into PARK and tap Controls > Autopilot > Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (Beta).
Note: When this feature is enabled, the maximum set speed while using Autosteer is limited to the speed limit of the road. Before this feature can be enabled, camera calibration may be required, and the latest version of Navigation maps must be downloaded via Wi-Fi. Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for additional details about this feature.
Driving Visualization Improvements
The driving visualization can now display additional objects which include stop lights, 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. To see these additional objects in your driving visualization, tap Controls > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview.
Driving Visualization Improvements
The driving visualization now displays traffic cones. In cases where a traffic cone is detected and Navigate on Autopilot is engaged, the vehicle is designed to suggest a lane change (or attempt a lane change if REQUIRE LANE CHANGE CONFIRMATION is set to NO) to avoid cones. As always, you are responsible for your vehicle and are required to pay attention at all times.
The driving visualization now displays traffic cones. In cases where a traffic cone is detected and Navigate on Autopilot is engaged, the vehicle is designed to suggest a lane change to avoid cones. As always, you are responsible for your vehicle and are required to pay attention at all times.
The driving visualization now displays traffic cones.
Dashcam Viewer
Watch saved Dashcam clips or Sentry Mode events directly from the touchscreen with the Dashcam Viewer. To launch, tap the Dashcam icon in the status bar and select “Launch Viewer” while the car is in PARK. If the car is in DRIVE, you will continue to save a clip by tapping the icon.
To view saved clips and events stored on your USB drive, tap the Menu icon in the upper left corner of the viewer. Each video is organized by location, date and thumbnail for easy access. For additional filtering options, tap the “Dashcam” or “Sentry” tabs.
Select a clip or event to play the corresponding video. To select video from a particular camera, tap the associated thumbnail marked Front, Rear, Left or Right. Play, pause or scroll by using the video controls at the bottom of the player. To delete a video, tap the trash icon in the bottom right corner of the video player.
Performance and Launch Mode Improvements
Launch Mode has been improved with powertrain enhancements that increase acceleration performance and repeatability. To improve traction, Adaptive Suspension performs a “cheetah stance” (lowers the front axle) and adjusts damping.
To initiate Launch mode, first enable Insane+ acceleration by tapping Controls > Driving > Acceleration > Insane+ and follow the instructions displayed by tapping the “How to use Launch Mode” link.
To initiate Launch mode, first enable Ludicrous+ acceleration by tapping Controls > Driving > Acceleration > Ludicrous+ and follow the instructions displayed by tapping the “How to use Launch Mode” link.Out of Order Supercharger Stalls
Supercharger stations now identify the number of out of order stalls. To view the current availability, tap the Supercharger station map pin.
This release contains minor improvements and bug fixes.