Tesla Model S Will Be Able To Parallel Park, Drive Itself On Highways, Elon Musk Says

Aug 12, 2015 03:51 PM EDT | John Nassivera

Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk remains intent on providing Model S drivers an excellent experience, having revealed that the electric sedan will soon be able to parallel park itself as well as drive itself on highways.

While the car can already sense obstacles, change lanes and avoid pedestrians thanks to its ultrasonic radar, the new technology will give drivers the option of accelerating and braking on the highway without having to control the wheel, according to the Daily Mail. Musk wrote on Twitter that the Model S will "learn over time" to handle these situations.

"Almost ready to release highway autosteer and parallel autopark software update," he tweeted.

While the autonomous updates were first announced in October, Musk noted that they have been delayed due to technical issues. "Final corner case is dealing with low contrast lane markings (faded white on grey concrete) while driving into the sun at dusk," he wrote.

Improvements previously announced for the Model S include the addition of a "range assurance" app, which lets drivers know if they are running out of power and where to go for the nearest Supercharger, and a trip planner, which makes journeys easier for drivers by combining Tesla's Supercharger network with the Model S's network, the Daily Mail reported.

Musk said these software updates are intended to end "range anxiety" for Model S owners, as the chance of their batteries running out at any time and leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere is a major concern. There are currently 403 Supercharger stations with 2,219 Superchargers around the world.

Musk said that his company plans to provide regular software updates to drivers once every three or four months, the Daily Mail reported.

However, Musk has yet to reveal exactly when the Model S will be getting its self-parallel parking and self-driving abilities.

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