Gadgetory

Tesla says it is making its autopilot safer with a software update the update limits drivers from keeping their hands off the wheel for extended periods if a driver doesn't respond to repeated warnings to put their hands back on the wheel the autopilot system will disable itself the cars will now also rely more on radar to detect nearby objects currently the autopilot system uses a mix of radar sonar and imaging sensors but in the update Tesla says it can resolve enough detail from radar to not depend on other sensors Tesla Motors chief executive Elon Musk said that these changes would likely have prevented the fatal crash in May where a Tesla Model S did not detect a tractor trailer driving ahead of the car and failed to apply the brakes but drivers need to be aware that the radar system cannot detect every obstacle for example musk also said it may not break for small deer the new software will be pushed out as an over-the-air download to existing model s and Model X cars over the next couple of weeks that's it for this tech news update I'm Bridget Carey stay on top of the biggest stories at cnet com / update you