Tesla to remove more vehicle sensors, replace them with Tesla Vision
Tesla will replace its sensors with a camera-based Autopilot system
Tesla's Musk shows off humanoid robot 'Optimus' prototype
Tesla CEO Elon Musk demonstrated a prototype of a humanoid robot known as "Optimus" at the company's AI Day Friday. Musk said the robots are expected to cost less than $20,000.
Tesla said Tuesday that it will replace ultrasonic sensors from its vehicles starting this month.
The company said it removed radar from Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X starting in 2021. Since then, the automaker said incremental improvements have been made in both feature party and safety.
In most regions around the globe, Tesla said the models now rely on the camera-based Autopilot system Tesla Vision.
"Today, we are taking the next step in Tesla Vision by removing ultrasonic sensors (USS) from Model 3 and Model Y. We will continue this rollout with Model 3 and Model Y, globally, over the next few months, followed by Model S and Model X in 2023," it said.
TESLA'S ELON MUSK SHOWS OFF HUMANOID ROBOT 'OPTIMUS' PROTOTYPE WITH EXPECTED $20K PRICE TAG
Tesla said that Model 3 and Model Y with Tesla Vision have either maintained or improved their active safety ratings in the U.S. and Europe.
FILE PHOTO: A Tesla logo on a Model S is photographed inside of a Tesla dealership in New York, U.S., April 29, 2016. (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson / Reuters Photos)
The models have reportedly performed better in pedestrian automatic emergency braking (AEB) intervention.
In addition to removing the USS, Tesla said it had simultaneously launched its vision-based occupancy network to replace the inputs generated by the sensors.
"With today’s software, this approach gives Autopilot high-definition spatial positioning, longer range visibility and ability to identify and differentiate between objects. As with many Tesla features, our occupancy network will continue to improve rapidly over time," it said.
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An employee drives a Tesla Motors Inc. Model S electric automobile, equipped with Autopilot hardware and software, hands-free on a highway in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. (Photographer: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
For a short period of time, Tesla Vision vehicles not equipped with USS will be delivered with some temporarily limited or inactive features. Those features include Park Assist, Autopark, Summon and Smart Summon.
Once the features achieve "performance parity to today's vehicles," they will be restored via a series of over-the-air software updates.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 26: A side sensor camera on Tesla's new Model 3 car on display is seen on Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Tesla store in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"Given the incremental improvements already achieved with Tesla Vision, and our roadmap of future Autopilot improvements and abilities, we are confident that this is the best strategy for the future of Autopilot and the safety of our customers," Tesla added, noting in an FAQ section that crash safety ratings were not impacted by the transition.
The 12 sensors can be found on the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle.
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At this time, Tesla does not plan to remove the functionality of ultrasonic sensors from its existing fleet.
According to Reuters, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said it can achieve full autonomy with cameras only, targets to roll out self-driving taxis have been missed.
Reuters contributed to this report.