Elon Musk, Tesla Motors Tap Bosch, Mobileye To Improve Autopilot Feature, Make Wireless Tesla Cars With OTA Updates

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, says that Tesla is making improvements in Autopilot. The Tesla CEO tweeted on July 17, Sunday that he had made a call with Bosch, German auto supplier, who makes the system's radar. Significant improvements could possibly make Tesla cars wireless with over the air updates. Musk also said that Mobileye, another sensor maker, has also shown support as Tesla continues to make the Autopilot better.

The Autopilot technology gives drivers the option to maintain speed according to highway traffic speeds and maintain the car in its lane without having to drive it. However, Tesla Motors constantly remind their drivers that they must stay alert and in control at all times, although a number of videos posted on Youtube show some off the drivers sitting back and watching as the Tesla model cars drive itself without their intervention.

Musk has been under pressure since it disclosed to officers that Joshua Brown, from Ohio, was killed when the Autopilot was on while driving his Tesla Model S automobile and slammed into a truck on a Florida Highway. Following the incident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation and had its team sent to look at the safety precautions of the system, News Hours Days reported.

The Tesla Motors CEO then received a letter from United States Senator John Thune, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The government official asked for the information on the Autopilot system safety, while emphasizing that the research is mandatory on interactions between the operator and vehicle at different levels to ensure customers are capable of responding appropriately to the technology, US24 reported.

Musk tweeted that he will stand behind Autopilot and Tesla Technology and that the suppliers should not be blamed for what happened. He also said that any criticism should be directed to Tesla Motors only.