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Tesla Autopilot update for better speed limit sign recognition is coming soon
Tesla CEO Elon Musk fielded several requests to address Autopilot’s ability to determine speed limit signs accurately, and the accuracy of its map data.
Amid reports that Autopilot users are still experiencing inaccuracies with the software’s ability to accurately read speed limit signs, Musk reassured users over Twitter that improvements are of utmost priority and an update is coming soon.
In the past, Tesla vehicles have displayed issues with recognizing Speed Limits correctly. Researchers at McAfee Advanced Threat Research managed to trick Tesla’s speed limit recognition technologies in the past by adjusting the appearance of the number “3” on a 35 MPH speed limit sign. This adjustment tricked the Tesla into thinking the speed limit was 85 MPH.
Yes, this is a high priority
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 8, 2020
Some owners on Tesla’s forums stated their vehicles had issues recognizing speed limit signs accurately. Sometimes, the car would not register a speed limit sign at all. The problem caused some owners to have their vehicles driving through zones at excessive speeds, causing a safety issue and risking them to receive a ticket.
One owner in the forum stated, “Was wondering why some speed limits signs are not recognized on my Tesla. Don’t need a ticket.”
It seems that some owners whose cars still utilize Mobileye and Hardware 1 are the only drivers whose vehicles recognize signs accurately the majority of the time. However, when Tesla and Mobileye ended a partnership in 2016, Tesla was forced to make its own software to recognize speed limits. Tesla vehicles manufactured after the partnership ended use GPS-based speed limit recognition and not camera-based identification.
Arguably one of the most substantial hurdles Tesla must jump through on its journey to autonomous driving features is the accuracy of sign recognition. Without the ability to read road signs and speed limits, the autonomous features are pointless because the vehicle will not function properly. Tesla’s Artificial Intelligence program is working diligently to improve the functionality of Autopilot, and it starts with accurate street sign recognition.
Coming soon
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 8, 2020
When Tesla’s Head of AI Andrej Karpathy spoke about the processes of identifying street signs, he explained that the vehicles depend on code to recognize instructions. The issue with this is that many states utilize different words or layouts to describe the same action. For example, Karpathy stated Tesla holds the most extensive set of “Except Right Turn” signs in its database. These signs often say the same thing but are different sizes, fonts, or shapes, all of which are factors that can spell trouble for a software system.
The improvement of accurately recognizing signs will move Tesla closer to finishing its Full Self-Driving suite. After Tesla released the Stop Sign and Traffic Light Control feature, only City Driving remains on the list of FSD features that have yet to be unveiled. Recently, the company also published its safety statistics, marking Autopilot’s safest year to date. With added improvements over time, thanks to the contribution of data to the company’s Neural Network, Tesla can continue to improve upon its already impressive FSD performance.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
