Tesla warns ‘self-driving package’ buyers that activation is ‘very far away’ due to regulations
Yeah, "regulations". That's the problem. That's
always been the problem, doncha know? Those pesky regulators forcing Tesla to keep their amazing technological capabilities locked away where nobody can see or test or verify them...
“So even when we have the hardware ready, and your car would have it, you would most likely not be able to use it for a very long time.”
Yup, sounds like we are completely on-track for the first FSD features in August... 2020.
Here's my prediction: HW3 will be required to deliver on the original EAP features. This is why they've toned down the EAP description. Tesla will not provide free upgrades to HW3 for EAP buyers, though, until somebody sues them, because they simply can't afford to give free hardware that probably costs $1.5-$2k to 200,000 customers (which is what it will be by then). So we'll all get $20 checks as a consolation prize, which we can choose to apply toward the $5000 HW3 upgrade, which will get us not FSD but "EAP++", which is really just something almost but not quite fulfilling the original EAP promises of on-ramp-to-off-ramp, smart summon, and self-park. With steering wheel nags in full force.
A few FSD features, like stop sign and traffic light detection, will be released on HW3, but they will be driver assistance features. The human driver will be responsible. Most actions will require confirmation from the driver. The steering wheel nags will still be present at least on local roads. Highway may creep slowly toward an L3 system with severe limitations and the requirement that the driver remain aware, if not hands-on-wheel. But they have no way to ensure that the driver is aware, so this will be merely a legal CYA measure. People will read books on the highway, and people will die.
And then the regulators will put a stop to it, and there will be no more "FSD" on currently-produced vehicles. And then Elon's pure raw hatred of regulators will be shown to be completely justified!