Tesla Software Version 10.0 Delivers (Potentially Alarming) New Autopilot Feature, Music, Movies, Video Games

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Tesla owners who purchased Full Self-Driving Capability or Enhanced Autopilot from the company will soon be able to enjoy new self-driving functions. Software Version 10.0 is officially out for the Model X, S, and 3 — adding new driver assistance features, navigation settings, multimedia libraries (music, movies, video games), security options, and a new karaoke mode.

Since the enhanced Autopilot features are the most notable by far, let’s begin there. Tesla’s new “Smart Summon” feature enables the vehicle to navigate through a parking lot sans driver, so long as the car is within sight. “It’s the perfect feature to use if you have an overflowing shopping cart, are dealing with a fussy child, or simply don’t want to walk to your car through the rain,” Tesla said in its Version 10 announcement.

However, the automaker noted that customers remain responsible for their vehicle’s actions and should be aware of the car and its surroundings at all times. If you didn’t purchase Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving Capability, then there’s nothing to worry about. Smart Summon is only available if you’ve already bought into one of Tesla’s advanced driving suites. Version 10.0 does come with updates for everyone, though.

The 0ver-the-air push also delivers software that allows drivers to connect to Netflix, Hulu and YouTube accounts via the massive center console — the function is wisely limited to stints where the vehicle is parked. Tesla has similarly expanded music offerings by incorporating Spotify Premium. Slacker Radio and TuneIn will also remain available.

Karaoke, which Tesla calls “Car-aoke,” is just what it sounds like. The company promises a massive library of songs (in multiple languages) to be taken advantage of during road trips.

Some customers will also notice that Tesla has expanded its video game library. Preview materials showed passengers playing Studio MDHR’s universally praised Cuphead. Tesla said customers could make use of USB controllers to play single-player or co-op modes of the game’s first level.

The automaker previously hid video games (and other digital distractions) in a drop-down tab; they’ve moved to the main menu bar. While most of them are vintage arcade games (Missile Command, Centipede, Asteroids) or titles previously designed for smartphones, the addition of Cuphead is a major step forward. The game is modern, visually impressive, and much too complicated to play using touch controls or the vehicle’s steering wheel.

New navigation features also arrive with Version 10.0. Rather than entering a specific destination, customers can now select “I’m Feeling Lucky” and “I’m Feeling Hungry” to have the car recommend a nearby restaurant or point of interest. While someone feeling truly lucky is likely to strike out on their own without any help from satellites, we could see “I’m Feeling Hungry” settling dining-related disputes with one’s spouse.

Apparently, a round of testing resulted in recommendations for “hole-in-the-wall restaurants, gourmet meals, national parks, city landmarks and more.” Maps have also been updated to allow passengers to sort locales by distance, more easily initiate phone calls, check a business’ ratings, and browse nearby areas.

Dashcam and Sentry Mode have been updated to automatically manage video clips by splitting stored data into separate folders. Another quality of life update is “Joe Mode,” which reduces the volume for select alerts to avoid disturbing sleeping passengers. Version 10.0 also updates the Tesla app to allow for garage door controls (via HomeLink), new vehicle defrost options, and remotely controlling windows.

[Image: Tesla Motors]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • EBFlex EBFlex on Sep 28, 2019

    New autopilot features.....it will launch you into many more types of vehicles not just fire trucks. Seriously this is all the proof any reasonable person needs to see that these silly electric vehicles are just fashion accessories and are not anywhere near legitimate competition for proper ICE vehicles. Anyone watching The Fast Lane Car on YouTube will quickly realize how much of a joke electric cars, specifically Tesla’s are to live with.

  • Thegamper Thegamper on Sep 30, 2019

    I am not necessarily for this but it's happening. Someone has to be the first. Both Tesla and owners will be held responsible for accidents, no escaping that. However, I'll just point out that there are literally millions of elderly drivers out there daily that should not be behind the wheel of a shopping cart let alone a car. Everyone of us has seen the elderly pull a hail Mary reverse out of a parking space. Just hope for the best because my neck and peripheral vision no longer work. There are worse things in every parking lot in the country. I will point the finger at vehicles with ridiculously tall ride heights as being far more pedestrian unfriendly in a parking lot situation.

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