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Who knew, Tesla Autopilot has a human collision avoidance system

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Tesla released arguably one of the biggest over-the-air software updates in its company history when it introduced Version 8.0 with updated Autopilot in September. Not to be confused with the more recent announcement that new Model S and Model X vehicles are equipped with next generation “hardware 2” capable of Full Self-Driving, Autopilot under Version 8.0 leveraged two-year-old hardware to issue enhancements in drivability and safety through advancements in radar signal processing.

By placing more emphasis on input from the vehicle’s forward-facing radar, Tesla Autopilot was able to detect vehicle activity from two cars ahead and better react to sudden emergency braking events. A recent test using a Model X while trailing two vehicles – the furthest vehicle would simulate an emergency braking situation – demonstrated that Autopilot was able to automatically react to activity beyond what its human driver could see.

But how does v8.0 Autopilot fare against activity from a non-vehicle – let’s say, a human obstacle? Previous tests put together by Tesla owner and YouTuber KmanAuto attempted to see just that. Using a very trusting friend, Kman was able to demonstrate Autopilot’s lack of ability to account for pedestrians when it comes to emergency braking under version 7.0.

Back at it again, and with the same friend Mike Anthony, the duo staged seven separate tests to see how the latest Version 8.0 Autopilot, using radar-based technology supplemented by the front-facing camera, was able to handle situations involving a human obstacle.

Tesla Autopilot under Version 8.0 vs. Human (Mike)

Before we jump into the results of the various tests, we’d like to note that Teslarati in no way endorses or recommends this type of stunt, or any activity of similar nature.

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We’ve provided the full video here with outcome of the results summarized below. Be sure to also check out the video from Mike’s perspective.

Test 1 – Tesla @ 20 mph vs. Human in middle of lane

Description: Vehicle was able to detect Mike and gradually come to a complete stop on its own with no driver input. Display did not show an object. No human collision warning appeared.

Video of Test 1 (open link in new window to jump to test)

Test 2 – Tesla @ 20 mph vs. Human walking in front of the car

Description: Vehicle was able to detect Mike walking into the car’s path of travel and bring itself to a complete stop. As Mike walked backwards and away from the vehicle, Autopilot Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) was able to keep its distance to Mike and proceed forward as Mike inched backwards.

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Video of Test 2

Test 3 – Tesla @ 20 mph vs. Human walking from side of road in front of car and then off the road again

Description: Vehicle was able to detect Mike walking into the car’s path of travel and bring itself to a complete stop. As Mike walked off to the side of the road, TACC resumed.

Video of Test 3

Test 4 – Tesla @ 20 mph vs. Human walking in front of the car

Description: Same as Test 2.

Video of Test 4

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Test 5 – Tesla @ 30 mph vs. Human jogging across all lanes in front of vehicle

Description: This is the first sighting of a human collision warning indicator. Vehicle detects Mike and attempts to hard brake“In the interest of safety I helped [brake] it, the car gave me a collision alert and it also applied the brakes.”, says Kman.

Kman indicates that the vehicle likely would not have stopped in time to prevent hitting Mike but it would have severely lessened the force of impact and possibly lessened the severity of  human injury.

Video of Test 5

Test 6 – Tesla @ 25 mph vs. Human walking in front of the car

Description: Vehicle was able to detect Mike walking into the car’s path of travel and bring itself to a sudden stop and avoid impact.

Video of Test 6

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Test 7 – Tesla @ 35 mph vs. Human standing directly in front of moving car

Description: Vehicle was able to detect Mike standing before the car and bring itself to a quick stop though no visual warning was seen on the display. It would appear the human collision warning only appears with objects that are non-stationary and enter the vehicle’s path of travel.

Video of Test 7

Conclusion

The test demonstrates Tesla’s remarkable ability to continuously improve upon its Autopilot suite of features through changes to its set of algorithms driven largely by data collected through the company’s fleet learning program. The test is also significant in that Tesla was able to dramatically improve the safety on its vehicles – now capable of performing emergency braking events when a human is detected – purely over-the-air and with no hardware improvements whatsoever.

With Autopilot 2.0 consisting of seven more cameras and enhanced long range sonar sensors fed from billions of miles worth of driving data, it’s not a question of if Tesla can reach full Level 5 autonomy, but one of when.

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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