Not a week goes by that somebody doesn't ask me, "Still have the Model S long-termer? I thought it would have gone back already." Yes, its one-year temporary residency here formally ended a few months ago, but I made a plea that we keep it longer because, unlike other cars, its frequently updated software makes the whole experience an ever-changing proposition.
And I really like driving it, too. Hey, Ayn Rand said selfishness is a virtue. I've sunk to a new low, haven't I? Redemption came soon enough, though, when a request appeared on the car's nav screen to download the latest Version 6 software. I tapped the Accept button, and that night the Tesla's 3G connection magically filled the car's mind with some pretty nifty new ideas. At the time, the car was parked in my driveway; it might have been 12:30 a.m. when I noticed its headlights flashing outside. It's in REM sleep again, I mused, having another automotive dream. What was it learning?
The next night, while driving down the street to my house, the car automatically rose on its air suspension a few seconds before I turned into my steep driveway. Previously -- and only if I remembered -- I had to stop and push buttons to raise it. What's happening is that the car is recalling everywhere I've requested greater ride height and now does it without waiting to be asked. To my knowledge, I think this is the first time an aspect of a car's vehicle dynamics has been reprogrammed by over-the-air instructions, and it previews how the Model S' recently announced Autopilot (semi-autonomous driving technology) will also be incrementally deployed. All the tricks its sensors will eventually allow -- like opening your garage door and parking itself, for instance -- will simply be rolled out by these nighttime over-the-air software updates. All of a sudden, one morning it'll be able to do something new.
2013 Tesla Model S, Au Rappel
2013 Tesla Model S, Review, Priece, Specification
Automotives Review, Luxury Car, Auto Insurance, Car Picture
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