Tesla has initiated another round of free trials for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software, shortly after unveiling its Cybercab and Robovan autonomous vehicle platforms. Customers in the U.S. and Canada received emails this week offering a 30-day free trial of FSD Supervised, marking the second such program from the company.
Most vehicles are receiving FSD v12.3.6, with some upgrading to v12.5.4.1. The latest version introduces features like Actually Smart Summon (ASS) and support for wearing sunglasses during hands-free driving.
This move follows Tesla’s March offensive on FSD software, which included:
- The first free trials of FSD Supervised
- Mandatory test drives of v12 for existing demo participants
- Free FSD transfers on new vehicle purchases (recently relaunched for Q4)
Tesla recently introduced two new platforms for upcoming Unsupervised FSD builds:
- Cybercab: A two-seat, fully-autonomous vehicle without traditional controls, featuring wireless charging.
- Robovan: A larger autonomous bus with an art deco design.
Amid these developments, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles. The probe focuses on FSD Supervised’s ability to detect obstacles and respond in low-visibility conditions, following reports of accidents including an injury and a pedestrian fatality.
It’s crucial to note that Tesla’s FSD is currently only available in a “Supervised” build. Drivers must remain alert and ready to retake control at any moment. Tesla emphasizes this in its safety warnings and owner’s manuals:
“Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is a hands-on feature that requires you to pay attention to the road at all times. Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, be mindful of road conditions and surrounding traffic, pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists, and always be prepared to take immediate action (especially around blind corners, crossing intersections, and in narrow driving situations).
Failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the limitations of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and the situations in which it may not work as expected.”
As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology, the balance between innovation and safety remains a critical focus for both the company and regulatory bodies.
