Automotive

Tesla Model S over-the-air update tackles range anxiety

Tesla Model S over-the-air update tackles range anxiety
The Model S has been given a software update (Photo: Tesla)
The Model S has been given a software update (Photo: Tesla)
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The Model S has been made safer with the addition of a number of active safety features(Photo: Tesla)
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The Model S has been made safer with the addition of a number of active safety features(Photo: Tesla)
New navigation programming means the Model S is constantly in touch with the Supercharger network (Photo: Tesla)
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New navigation programming means the Model S is constantly in touch with the Supercharger network (Photo: Tesla)
Tesla's Supercharger network is constantly growing
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Tesla's Supercharger network is constantly growing
The Model S has been given a software update (Photo: Tesla)
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The Model S has been given a software update (Photo: Tesla)
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Tesla has released the latest over-the-air update for its Model S, which includes a number of navigation upgrades designed to cut down on range anxiety by constantly communicating with the brand's burgeoning Supercharger network.

The Range Assurance feature created by Tesla's software engineers constantly communicates with the company's Supercharger network and lets drivers know which stations are busy or full, as well as alerting them when they reach the point of no return and can't make it back to a charge point.

In addition to directing owners to the nearest charge points, the Model S navigation systems now uses the internet to find out information about elevation changes and weather to more accurately calculate range. When planning long trips, the Model S' navigation system will select a path that takes drivers past Supercharger points so they can top up the batteries. Once the car is charged, owners are notified by an app on their phone, and can get on with the drive.

Tesla's Supercharger network is constantly growing
Tesla's Supercharger network is constantly growing

Tesla's update also equips the Model S with a number of active safety features, with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and side collision warning all included.

For early-adopters paranoid about leaving their precious car in valet parking, the Model S' latest update includes a Corvette-style valet mode that limits its speed, locks the boot and hides owners' personal info from prying eyes.

Finally, Tesla says the update improves sound quality through a new audio codec, along with the tuning for the Model S' adaptive cruise control.

Source: Tesla

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2 comments
2 comments
Michiel Mitchell
just imagine the range anxiety when gasoline was only available from select view pharmacies, thousands of miles apart...
5 years from now, this anxiety is all going to be non existent, even less than for fuel... range will be upward of 600Miles and charging stations are going to approach the numbers of gas-stations....
chargers actually does not have to even be as numerous as gas-stations, because every home is a potential "Gas-station" and you will be able to go to work each morning with a freshly filled, full "tank of gas" every day...
Of course no one that owns a gas-station would be so bright to actually see the new light coming, and actually prepare for it, by volunteering charge locations.. noooooo........ They will cling to the old way, till the last drop of gasoline , still unsold, evaporates into thin air.
Bryan Paschke
Michiel, I wouldn't bet on service station owners being stupid. Most recent station built here was branded as an "energy station". They don't have chargers yet, but they've positioned themselves to sell a recharge just as soon as the manufacturers have decided on high speed charging standards and offer them the equipment.