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Tesla Beta Firmware 7.1 Adds Autopilot Restrictions

Tesla has altered the Autopilot software to restrict its operation in certain situations. The change was unannounced and has rankled many Tesla owners.

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Autopilot restrictions

Autopilot restriction

Tesla has ignited a firestorm of criticism from owners after a recent leak submitted to us by a tipster of beta Firmware 7.1 shows an updated Autopilot system with restrictions. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously discussed rolling out a revised Autopilot that would prevent people from doing “crazy things” in response to several videos showing people performing idiotic stunts while using Autosteer, and that’s exactly what Tesla seems to have done.

Update Jan 9, 2016:

Tesla rolls out Firmware 7.1 with Autopilot safety improvements

The new Autopilot update apparently restricts its capabilities to speeds below the posted speed limit, while potentially disabling Autosteer under the same conditions. It is unclear if the software with the restrictions has been downloaded to all Autopilot enabled cars but reports from within the Tesla community indicate that the release has gone out to select beta testers.

Owners across the forums are not so much focused on whether the restrictions are a good idea, but rather the principle that Tesla has subtracted features after they have already been released. Some Tesla owners have even gone as far as saying they will refuse to install updates until they know if it will limit features that currently exist. TMC forum member Cyberax puts it succinctly:

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“If there’s an update that removes a functionality that is useful for ME then I’m not going to install it. Moreover, I’ll sue Tesla if they update my car without asking me. This screenshot with 45 mph restriction is now a line in the sand for me.”

Sillydriver agrees. “My policy will be to wait a few days after a new build is offered to see whether people report that it introduces problems. If it does, I might wait for the next build, which will hopefully fix the problems, or would add more good features that would outweigh the problems.”

The new Autopilot and Autosteer restrictions seem only applicable to highway driving while Tesla’s active cruise control (TACC) appear to be unaffected by the latest update.

 

Autopilot restriction

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Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production

The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has released an epic year-in-review video for 2025, recapping some of its major achievements from refreshed models to autonomy breakthroughs and production ramps. 

The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development while looking ahead to an even bigger 2026.

Tesla’s 2025 highlights recap

Tesla has had a busy 2025, as highlighted in the recap video. The video opened with Elon Musk explaining the company’s pursuit of sustainable abundance. A number of milestones were then highlighted, such as the rollout of FSD v14, Optimus’ numerous demos, the opening of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, LA, the completion of the world’s first autonomous car delivery, and the launch of the Robotaxi network in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tesla also highlighted several of its accomplishments over the year. As per the company, the Model Y was the year’s best-selling vehicle globally again, and Teslas became more affordable than ever thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard. Other key models were also rolled out, such as the refreshed Model S and X, as well as the new Model Y, the new Model Y Performance, and the six-seat, extended wheelbase Model Y L. 

The Megablock was also unveiled during the year, and the Supercharger Network grew by 18%. Over 1 million Powerwalls were also installed during the year, and the Cybertruck became the first EV truck to get both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and an NHTSA 5-Star safety rating. 

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Cybercab production confirmed

Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed in its 2025 recap video that the production of the Cybercab has started. This bodes well for the vehicle, as it could result in the vehicle really being mass-produced in the first half of 2026. Elon Musk confirmed during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting that Cybercab production should earnestly start around April 2026

Musk has also noted that the Cybercab will be Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle yet, with the company aiming for an annual production rate of about 2 million units. “If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”

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Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet

Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic.

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Credit: @niccruzpatane/X

Even before entering production, Tesla’s Cybercab is already transforming the appearance of Austin’s streets, with multiple prototypes spotted testing in downtown areas recently. 

Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic. Interestingly enough, the vehicles were equipped with temporary steering wheels and human safety drivers.

Recent Cybercab sightings

Over the weekend, enthusiasts captured footage of two Cybercabs driving together in central Austin, their futuristic silhouettes standing out amid regular traffic. While the vehicles featured temporary steering wheels and side mirrors for now, they retained their futuristic, production-intent exterior design.

Industry watcher Sawyer Merritt shared one of the vehicles’ videos, noting the increasing frequency of the autonomous two-seater’s sightings.

Previewing the autonomous future

Sightings of the Cybercab have been ramping in several key areas across the United States in recent weeks. Sightings include units at Apple’s Visitor Center in California, the Fremont factory test track, and in Austin’s streets.

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The increased activity suggests that Tesla is in overdrive, validating the autonomous two-seater ahead of its planned volume production. Elon Musk confirmed at the 2025 Shareholder Meeting that manufacturing begins around April 2026 with ambitious targets, and during an All-Hands meeting earlier this year, Musk hinted that ultimately, Tesla’s factories should be able to produce one Cybercab every 10 seconds. 

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Tesla celebrates 9 million vehicles produced globally

The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla has achieved a new milestone, rolling out its nine millionth vehicle worldwide from Giga Shanghai. 

The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide. The milestone came as 2025 drew to a close, and it inspired praise from some of the company’s key executives.

Tesla’s 9 million vehicle milestone

The commemorative photo from Tesla Asia featured the Giga Shanghai team assembled on the factory floor, surrounding the milestone Model Y unit, which looked pristine in white. The image was captioned: “Our 9 millionth vehicle globally has just rolled off the production line at Giga Shanghai. Thanks to our owners and supporters around the world.” 

Senior Vice President of Automotive Tom Zhu praised Tesla’s factory teams for the remarkable milestone. He also shared his gratitude to Tesla owners for their support. “Congrats to all Tesla factories for this amazing milestone! Thanks to our owners for your continued support!” Zhu wrote in a post on X.

Giga Shanghai’s legacy

Tesla’s nine million vehicle milestone is especially impressive considering that just 207 days ago, the company announced that it had built its eight millionth car globally. The eight millionth Tesla, a red Model Y, was built in Giga Berlin. The fact that Tesla was able to build a million cars in less than seven months is quite an accomplishment. 

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Giga Shanghai, Tesla’s largest factory by volume, has been instrumental to the company’s overall operations, having reached four million cumulative vehicles earlier in 2025. The plant produces Model 3 and Model Y for both domestic Chinese and export markets, making it the company’s primary vehicle export hub. 

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