Tesla has been seen testing what could be a new range of autopilot sensors in a Model S test mule vehicle.
In 2016, Tesla introduced a new set of autopilot sensors consisting of cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors:
“Eight wrap-around cameras provide 360 degrees of visibility around the car at a distance of up to 250 meters. Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing detection of hard and soft objects at almost twice the distance of the previous system. A forward-facing radar with enhanced processing provides additional data about the world at a redundant wavelength that you can see through heavy rain, fog, dust, and even the car ahead. ”
The automaker believes those sensors are all they will need to deliver a complete automatic driving system through software updates.
While the automaker has updated the on-board autopilot computer and has been constantly shipping software updates to take better advantage of the hardware, we haven’t seen Tesla update the sensor suite in the past 4 years.
Tesla has now been seen testing a Model S with equipment equipped with autopilot sensors.
Matt Crowley saw a Model S with a platform on top of the car near Tesla’s headquarters in Palo Alto. He shared some images with Electrek:
We were able to confirm that Tesla is the one testing this vehicle as it is fitted with manufacturer’s plates.
A closer look shows that Tesla has several sensors installed on the platform:
We can see the side autopilot camera that Tesla uses on the fenders of his current vehicles suspended on the side of the platform.
The taking of Electrek
I’m not exactly sure what this test mule is for and I’d like to know what you think it might be in the comments section below.
But here is an assumption: a set of sensors for the Tesla Cybertruck?
Tesla could be using the platform on the Model S to place the cameras and sensors in positions where it would be in a larger vehicle, such as the electric van.
In addition, we can see cameras on each side of the license plate on the platform and the Cybertruck prototype was also equipped with two cameras on the back:
Obviously, there’s more distance on the Model S test mule, but that’s the best I can find at the moment.
What else do you think it could be? Let us know in the comment section below.
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