Tesla is preparing a significant update for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software that will allow vehicles to remember the driver's exact parking preferences at frequent destinations. The upcoming feature was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk in a response to a post by a tech entrepreneur and Y Combinator partner.
What exactly is planned?
The new feature will enable Teslas with FSD to remember where the driver parks at specific locations such as home, work, or the gym. Instead of having to manually instruct the vehicle each time, FSD will automatically head to the preferred parking spot. This is another step towards full autonomous driving, where the vehicle makes decisions independently.
Impact on daily life
Imagine: you arrive home and your Tesla autonomously finds its way into the garage or to your usual parking spot. No more manual parking, no more searching for a spot. Especially for commuters who use the same parking spot daily, this will be a huge time saver.
Parking: A complex problem
Although it sounds simple, automatic parking is one of the most challenging tasks for autonomous systems. Unlike on the road, where lanes and traffic signs provide clear rules, parking lots are unstructured. The vehicle must detect obstacles such as other cars, shopping carts, or pedestrians while performing tight maneuvers. Tesla has already gained experience with "Smart Summon" and automatic parking, but remembering preferences goes a step further.
Comparison: Current vs. Future Parking with FSD
Hardware requirements
The feature is expected to run on both Hardware 3 (HW3) and Hardware 4 (HW4), as storing preferences is more of a software than a hardware issue. However, HW4 with its more powerful cameras and faster computer may offer better environment recognition.
Significance for Europe
In Europe, Tesla still faces the challenge of gaining approval for the full FSD suite. EU regulatory authorities are currently reviewing the system's safety. Remembering parking preferences could be a plus point here, as it increases everyday usability. However, data protection concerns must be addressed: Are parking data stored? Are they linked to the driver? Tesla has not yet provided details.