For many years, Tesla has been known for its pursuit of Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities, but it has certainly been a long and rough journey. Many enthusiasts have witnessed the promises made by Tesla regarding full autonomy over the years, but the path to achieving this goal has been far from smooth. Doubt has crept in, and for some, hope of Tesla reaching full autonomy has faded entirely.
However, recently, Tesla has begun a gradual rollout of its Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) version 12 to its vehicles. This release has been named revolutionary by many, marking a departure from the reliance on over 300,000 lines of explicit C++ code to entirely trained neural networks. This has resulted in a driving experience that feels markedly more human-like and seamless. Adding to the excitement, version 12.3 has started making its way to vehicles, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk taking to X (formerly Twitter) to state that this release “should arguably be called V13”.
Despite the anticipation surrounding these updates, skepticism remains, particularly concerning safety and the hefty $12,000 price tag attached to the FSD package. Prospective buyers are understandably hesitant to commit without experiencing the software firsthand. However, as of March 25th, Elon Musk has mandated that all customers taking delivery of a Tesla vehicle must undergo a test drive showcasing the capabilities of FSD Beta 12.3.
Moreover, Musk announced on X that all US Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD-capable hardware will receive a one-month trial of the software. This announcement was later confirmed on Tesla’s official website. Notably, existing Tesla owners with compatible vehicles will also gain access to the complimentary trial.
It appears that Tesla is incorporating a strategic move by providing customers with a taste of the FSD Beta software. By offering a trial period, Tesla hopes to demonstrate the value of the technology, making it challenging for customers to give up access once they’ve experienced its capabilities. Whether this approach will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly adds an element of excitement for Tesla owners this week.
