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November 24, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Elon Musk announced earlier this month that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) v12 would be released in two weeks. The usual timeframe reference Musk is famous for was met with skepticism. However, it seems that Tesla is right on track with its rollout.

We have learned through a trusted source that FSD v12 has started rolling out internally with Tesla update 2023.38.10.

Update: Musk has responded to our article on X, confirming that Tesla has indeed starting rolling out FSD v12 to employees.

FSD v12 is the update that is expected to remove "beta" from the title. The initial rollout to employees appears more limited in scale than previous updates. Considering the magnitude of the changes in this version, it makes sense to start slow.

The timing of this internal release is close to two major Tesla events. The Cybertruck delivery event is just a few days away. Many eyes will be on the company during the event, allowing Tesla to possibly show the world its latest breakthrough. Alternatively, the highly anticipated holiday update, often regarded as the best update of the year, is expected to be released by 'Santa Musk' in the coming weeks, potentially featuring v12 as a significant addition.

The latest public FSD build, v11.4.7.3, is Tesla update 2023.27.7. This FSD build is several revisions behind the latest production builds, so it's nice to see that v12 will bring FSD beta testers back up to speed with some of the latest Tesla features such as Predictive Charger Availability, Faster Hazard Lights After a Crash, and other features included in updates 2023.32 and 2023.38.

As for FSD improvements, we haven't had a chance to see the release notes for FSD v12 yet. However, now that it has started going out to employees, it shouldn't be long before we find out all the FSD improvements included in this milestone release.

A significant change in v12 is eliminating over 300,000 lines of code previously governing FSD functions that controlled the vehicle, replaced by further reliance on neural networks. This transition means the system reduces its dependency on hard-coded programming. Instead, FSD v12 is using neural networks to control steering, acceleration, and braking for the first time. Up until now, neural networks have been limited to detecting objects and determining their attributes, but v12 will be the first time Tesla starts using neural networks for vehicle control.

The FSD v12 represents a significant leap in Tesla's FSD technology. Musk has described it as an "end-to-end AI", employing a "photon in, controls out" approach akin to human optical processing. This analogy underscores Tesla's ambition to replicate human-like decision-making capabilities in its vehicles.

Labeled as a "Baby AGI" (Artificial General Intelligence), the system is designed to perceive and understand the complexities of the real world. This philosophical and technological shift in AI-driven autonomy was vividly showcased during a live-streamed drive by Musk through Palo Alto, where the Model S demonstrated smooth and almost flawless navigation through various real-world scenarios, including construction zones, roundabouts, and traffic. That was three months ago; imagine how much the system has learned in 90 days.

The rollout of FSD v12 marks a critical point in Tesla's journey in AI and autonomous driving. It's not just about technological prowess but also about aligning AI with nuanced human behavior. With Musk's continued focus on AI, which is evident across his ventures, Tesla remains a crucial player in the EV market and the broader AI revolution.

As we await further details on the public release of FSD v12 and its potential showcase at the Cybertruck event, it's clear that Tesla is moving closer to a future where cars are not just self-driving but are also intelligent and responsive to the complexities of the real world.

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By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla's highly anticipated Cybertruck is gracing showrooms nationwide. Cybertruck was trending on X as users posted pictures and videos from Tesla stores throughout the U.S., ramping up even more excitement for the delivery event on November 30th.

Cybertruck started its showroom appearances in San Diego and San Jose earlier this week, but according to Elon Musk, several more Tesla stores may want to clear some space. Musk posted on X: "Cybertrucks are on their way to Tesla stores in North America!" It's unclear if that means every Tesla store and gallery across North America or just a few. There are 236 stores in the U.S., 24 in Canada, and 3 in Mexico.

It's also strange that so many Cybertrucks are in showrooms, as it's been reported that Tesla Product Design Director Javier Verdura said only ten would be delivered at the November 30th event. It's believed that slow rollout highlights the company's cautious approach, ensuring quality control before increasing deliveries and production volumes.

'A Better Theater,' a popular site for Tesla owners to stream content in their vehicles, is tracking all showrooms which have the Cybertruck on display. We've added the list below, but for the latest locations, checkout their site.

860 Washington St., New York, NY 10014

333 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128

6692 Auto Center Dr, Buena Park, CA 90621

4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122

Bellevue, WA 98004 (Coming Soon)

2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607

4039 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137

9140 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105

901 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

This widespread showcase in Tesla showrooms is more than just about displaying the new Cybertruck; it's a strategic move to draw consumers into showrooms. As Cybertrucks make their way into more stores, potential customers and enthusiasts get a firsthand look, creating a tangible sense of excitement. This strategy is particularly effective before Black Friday, leveraging the shopping season's foot traffic to draw more attention.

Adding to the intrigue, Tesla has revealed key specifications of the Cybertruck in its showrooms. The confirmed towing capacity of 11,000 lbs and a payload of 2,500 lbs have been significant talking points, giving potential buyers more reasons to consider the Cybertruck as a formidable competitor in the electric vehicle market. However, we still don't know the price.

Despite the initially limited delivery numbers, Tesla's decision to place Cybertrucks in showrooms across North America is another clever marketing move - for a company that doesn't advertise. It maintains high levels of interest and anticipation and gives the rest of the lineup a chance to shine. Christmas comes earlier this year; just a few more sleeps until November 30th.

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla's incredible journey started by piecing together the Roadster, a painstaking ordeal that nearly caused the company to go bankrupt more than once. The piece-by-piece instruction manual to build the car that started an automotive revolution has been made public, fully open-sourced. CEO Elon Musk posted on X: "All design & engineering of the original @Tesla Roadster is now fully open source. Whatever we have, you now have."

The open-source announcement has sparked enthusiasm and curiosity within the engineering community. A post from the World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) on X, asking, "Does this mean I can build my own roadster in my garage?" garnered a direct response from Musk: "* some assembly required."

Theoretically, if one can get their hands on the parts, they have some direction to build one of these historic vehicles. From a business side, this kind of information sharing with competitors is curious, although it does follow Tesla's mission statement to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. Although the information is 15 years old, it could provide some useful information.

Tesla has clarified the nature of the information released, stating it's a resource for Roadster enthusiasts derived from the car's R&D phase. The details are not intended for manufacturing, repair, or maintenance and may not align with final production models. Users leveraging this information are reminded of their responsibility to adhere to legal and safety protocols, as Tesla offers no warranties for work done using these details. This open-source initiative encourages innovation but stresses the importance of safety and legal compliance.

Launched in 2008, the original Roadster was the first legal electric vehicle on highways to utilize lithium-ion batteries and achieve over 200 miles per charge. It bankrolled the next phase of Tesla, the Model S, and set a benchmark for future EVs.

While this open-source initiative revisits Tesla's past, it also shifts the focus back to the next-generation Roadster. Initially unveiled in 2017, its production has been delayed, and there is no timeline for when the new sportscars will be manufactured. Moreover, Tesla's focus on the Cybertruck and a more affordable $25,000 EV indicates a strategic balance between innovation and mass EV adoption.

Tesla's decision to make the original Roadster's design and engineering open source should not be too surprising. Musk has said, "I don't care about patents. Patents are for the weak. They don't actually help advance things. They just stop others from following you." Perhaps the biggest surprise is how long it took for Musk to open-source the Roadster blueprint.

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Tesla FSD v12 Rolls Out to Employees With Update 2023.38.10 ... - Not a Tesla App