Autopilot requires Tech Package or not?

[si123ca]

The order page (design studio) now clarifies this issue:
"Safety features, today and in the future, are included in every Model S with Autopilot hardware. Convenience features will be included in the Tech Package. It will take several months for all the features to be completed and uploaded to the cars."

 

[hingisfan]

The order page (design studio) now clarifies this issue:
"Safety features, today and in the future, are included in every Model S with Autopilot hardware. Convenience features will be included in the Tech Package. It will take several months for all the features to be completed and uploaded to the cars."

What about something like Radar Cruise Control? You could argue either way that that is a safety feature or a convenience feature. If you don't get tech, do you get just regular old cruise control?

 

[bhzmark]

What about something like Radar Cruise Control? You could argue either way that that is a safety feature or a convenience feature. If you don't get tech, do you get just regular old cruise control?

The collision avoidance feature of radar cruise cars is probably safety feature. It will sense an impending collision and beep a warning and apply the brakes forcefully and tighten the seatbelts etc. Follow the car in front of me and change speed as it changes speed part of radar cruise is the convenience part.

 

[techiesjc]

I checked with my OA again today and ALL Models S cars from 9/18/14 include the "hardware" for Safety and Autopilot. ALL purchases of "Tech Package" will INCLUDE the Autopilot (even if those were made under the OLD Design Studio). However, Safety features will be included in ALL cars...

1) Lane Assist
2) Speed Limit Assist
3) Collision Avoidance
etc...

I am sure more clarification will continue to roll out going forward.

 

[DDotJ]

I checked with my OA again today and ALL Models S cars from 9/18/14 include the "hardware" for Safety and Autopilot. ALL purchases of "Tech Package" will INCLUDE the Autopilot (even if those were made under the OLD Design Studio). However, Safety features will be included in ALL cars...

1) Lane Assist
2) Speed Limit Assist
3) Collision Avoidance
etc...

I am sure more clarification will continue to roll out going forward.

Thanks for the clarification. I emailed my DS yesterday but no reply yet. I was contemplating delaying delivery by reordering the new tech package, but I guess there is no need to do that.

 

[Thud]

I just got off the phone with my DS. Had to cancel my order and reorder with the "new" tech package in order to get the Autopilot features. Apparently the old (as in yesterday) tech package would have only provided me the lane departure and speed assist, no Autopilot. Glad I called...

Edit: The new order just went through and it specifically says "Tech Package with Autopilot" on the summary sheet.

So if you ordered the tech package prior to the Autopilot announcement, and your car hasn't been built yet, then Tesla takes the extra step of disabling the new Autopilot convenience features?

What the hell? Do they disable the fog lamps too if you didn't order them originally? I didn't order fog lamps, but I ordered the tech package, it'll be hilarious if my car shows up with fog lamps that don't turn on because they're arbitrarily disabled via software. It would be the same for Autopilot.

 

[NSX1992]

I ordered my S85 on September 2nd with December delivery with the tech package and parking sensors. Due to all the confusion and people reordering I was anxious to find out if my order will include the convenience features of Autopilot. So I paid a visit to my Owner Advisor and his first reaction I would have to pay $500 more. I explained that my order of tech package and parking sensors was the same $4250 as the new tech package and that I would reorder for the same cost and still have a December delivery. He understood perfectly but had to check with the higher ups and less than an hour later said I would receive all the features. I asked if he could put it in writing but he declined.

I am glad Tesla was reasonable and I was not one of the ones missing out by a few days.

 

[Thud]

I ordered my S85 on September 2nd with December delivery with the tech package and parking sensors. Due to all the confusion and people reordering I was anxious to find out if my order will include the convenience features of Autopilot. So I paid a visit to my Owner Advisor and his first reaction I would have to pay $500 more. I explained that my order of tech package and parking sensors was the same $4250 as the new tech package and that I would reorder for the same cost and still have a December delivery. He understood perfectly but had to check with the higher ups and less than an hour later said I would receive all the features. I asked if he could put it in writing but he declined.

I am glad Tesla was reasonable and I was not one of the ones missing out by a few days.

That's consistent with this Q&A that somebody else had with a delivery manager:

Order changing and Q A after The D-event : teslamotors

"Yes, all changes to the Tech-package are effective immediately. Current orders will get the new Tech-package. Including the fog-lights and auto-pilot update functionality."


But there are still others reporting that DS's required them to change their existing orders, or cancel and re-order, to get full Autopilot. It's all over the board.

 

[si123ca]

What about something like Radar Cruise Control? You could argue either way that that is a safety feature or a convenience feature. If you don't get tech, do you get just regular old cruise control?

Here's a quote from design studio:
"Convenience features include everyday driving maneuvers that reduce driver workload, such as traffic aware cruise control and automatic parking."

So, if you dont have tech package, it sounds like you'll just get regular cruise control.

 

[Bun707]

Today's my last day of my 2-week grace period. I've got the tech package already and the parking sensors. I'm rolling the dice and removing the parking sensors in the design studio since I might be getting them for free now at the old tech package price.

 

[SCDrJ]

Today's my last day of my 2-week grace period. I've got the tech package already and the parking sensors. I'm rolling the dice and removing the parking sensors in the design studio since I might be getting them for free now at the old tech package price.

I'd reorder and get sensors fog lights etc and not chance it!

 

[Thud]

Another data point from the comments on Tesla's blog post:

From my understanding, if your car was built on or after Sept 19th and you ordered tech package, you will have autopilot features. I called the Tesla factory and a representative told me this. The only reason you will need to cancel the order and reorder(if your car has not been built yet) is if you want to add AWD.

It's still 3rd-hand knowledge, but this one seems to come from the factory itself.

- - - Updated - - -

Today's my last day of my 2-week grace period. I've got the tech package already and the parking sensors. I'm rolling the dice and removing the parking sensors in the design studio since I might be getting them for free now at the old tech package price.

You'll be getting fog lights too as part of the new tech package (just in case you already ordered them separately).

I don't want to take any chances on having my delivery pushed to January and missing out on our state tax incentive which probably will be repealed next year. I'm already confirmed so I doubt I can remove the parking sensors; but the price I'm paying is what the new tech package costs anyway so I can live with that.

 

[Cerie]

I talked to my DS this morning. There is absolutely no need to CANCEL and re-order if you're simply looking to make sure you have the Autopilot tech package unless you are adding AWD. I originally had the tech package and parking sensors and all he did was take off the sensors and update the tech package to the new one. No price increase for me but it sounds like if you have the old tech package, you WILL have to pay an extra $500 if you want the new one that includes fog lights and autopilot SOFTWARE so if you're in the same boat as me and want to keep your RWD, you might want to call your DS to confirm and not just leave things as is just assuming you will get the new package.

Update: I confirmed the beginning of August so I am well past that and also have had VIN assigned 9/1.

 

[Bun707]

Thanks for the helpful thoughts... After your order is confirmed, when do you get a DS assigned to you? So far I've just been talking to a rep at a store in California (Brea) even though I'm in AZ. I suppose I could always email him and get some info on that too.

 

[DDotJ]

Tesla posted this on Reddit (r/teslamotors) to clarify the confusion:

Hi all,
A point of clarification here regarding the difference between safety features and convenience features.
If you have a Model S with the Autopilot hardware (12 ultrasonic sensors, forward radar, forward looking camera, and electromechanical brake boost), your car is capable of Autopilot (that is typically the case for all cars completed after September 20, 2014).
Autopilot safety features, today and in the future, are included in every new Model S. Safety features include systems that warn drivers of potential hazards and help avoid or lessen the impact of potential collisions.
Autopilot convenience features are enabled for customers who have selected the Tech Package with Autopilot (upgrade from original Tech package). Convenience features include everyday driving maneuvers that reduce driver workload, such as traffic aware cruise control and automatic parking.
Please note that the different features will be enabled through over-the-air firmware upgrades in the coming months. If a customer has any additional questions, their Delivery Specialist can assist them.
Thanks, Tesla Motors

I confirmed on 7/30 awaiting Nov delivery and my DS was able to switch my order with the old tech package and parking sensors to the new tech package with autopilot without any change in price or delivery timeframe. Even got fog lights as part of the new tech package (would have costed me $500 extra on the old pricing)

 

[Thud]

Tesla posted this on Reddit (r/teslamotors) to clarify the confusion:
I confirmed on 7/30 awaiting Nov delivery and my DS was able to switch my order with the old tech package and parking sensors to the new tech package with autopilot without any change in price or delivery timeframe. Even got fog lights as part of the new tech package (would have costed me $500 extra on the old pricing)

I saw that too, great news. Worst case scenario you can pay $500 to activate full autopilot functionality after delivery but I guess I need to switch now in order to get credit for my parking sensors.

The hardest part is going to be getting my DS to respond...

 

[DDotJ]

I saw that too, great news. Worst case scenario you can pay $500 to activate full autopilot functionality after delivery but I guess I need to switch now in order to get credit for my parking sensors.

The hardest part is going to be getting my DS to respond...

My DS didn't respond for 3-4 days. I'm assuming he didn't know of Tesla's update policy, but the person who responded was a store manager from the local mall. But then again, I've asked for an updated delivery estimate (twice) and never got a response.

 

[Thud]

I finally got a reply from my DS. He did the upgrade to the Tech Package + Autopilot and my cost stayed the same since I previously ordered parking sensors.

Expected delivery is 1st or 2nd week of December.

 

[internauts]

... did the upgrade to the Tech Package + Autopilot and my cost stayed the same since I previously ordered parking sensors.

Nearly the same experience for me from Seattle DS. I got a clear and prompt reply, doing all the work for me to confirm my revised order. He said my "late November" official estimate would remain the same.

 

[bylund]

It's the same for me, added autopilot and as I had parking sensors ordered my DS confirmed that the price stays the same. This is for a car that is already in transit to Europe, so it seems to be only a software unlock.