Tesla to Update Autopilot in China with Advanced Driving Features

Tesla is set to enhance its Autopilot system in China, introducing advanced driving-assistance features to help navigate city streets. The U.S. automaker briefly announced the update via its app before retracting the notice, with sources confirming the release was premature but authentic.

The update will include capabilities similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) but will be less advanced than the U.S. version due to restrictions on AI training in China. Features will include automatic lane changes based on speed and route, traffic light detection, and decision-making at intersections. Additionally, an in-car camera will monitor driver attention to enhance safety.

Bloomberg reports that Tesla will roll out the update in the coming days to customers who have paid 64,000 yuan ($8,830) for the limited FSD package available in China. Vehicles will receive the update remotely in batches, but Tesla has not officially commented on the release.

CEO Elon Musk recently acknowledged challenges in deploying FSD in China, citing restrictions from both U.S. and Chinese regulators. While Tesla is striving to expand its autonomous capabilities in the region, domestic competitors are advancing rapidly. BYD, for example, has integrated smart driving technology across most of its models, including those priced as low as $9,555. In contrast, Tesla’s cheapest model in China starts at around $32,400.

With rising competition in the autonomous driving sector, Tesla’s latest update aims to strengthen its position in China’s growing smart vehicle market.