LEAK: Tesla Upgrades Autopilot with 'Phoenix' 4D Radar—Twice the Reach but Still Won't Use LiDAR

Tesla is upgrading its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems from its existing sensors into a 4D Radar capable of picking up twice the reach than its current, according to leaks. Tesla is instilling the help of a foreign robotics company for the new radar system that was found under the name of "Phoenix" in the software update that would be the most massive one yet to be introduced by the company.

Leaks have sleuthed Tesla's new software to soon have a major update that would include a new four-dimensional (4D) radar system that aims to double the reach it currently sees with 160 meters in front of the vehicle. Tesla's effort is to improve the Autopilot, even more, see the road more clearly to learn from it, and avoid unexpected occurrences that may cause dangerous accidents.

According to Electrek, Tesla is planning its move to venture into 4D imaging technology with the use of radar sensors that will be mounted on the vehicle. This tech would be alongside its numerous cameras and its existing "ultrasonic" sensors. The leak also says to have found a code name "Phoenix" alloted for its new radar technology.

Tesla is aiming to make its Autopilot one of the safest in the world and be a self-standing and fully immersive autonomous driving technology on its electric vehicles. The Full Self-Driving beta was recently released by Tesla under a closed-beta status for private and select electric car owners.

The Autopilot is one of the most promising technologies in the world that can be found on Tesla electric vehicles. An upgrade to a new system would certainly be a huge leap for the company, coming from Autopilot 2.0, Tesla's last upgrade for the assisted driving technology from the company.

Tesla Autopilot: Phoenix 4D Radar is Double the Range

Tesla's leaker is none other than the famous software sleuth "green" (@greentheonly) who shares to Twitter his recent findings on the clean energy company's systems. Recently, the leaker talked about several of Tesla's upgrade and pointed out quite a handful of things particularly on the Model Y, Model 3, and FSD Beta.

"Green" saved the best for last and included its findings on Tesla's Autopilot software, saying that the "in-house" technology for the assisted driving systems are "too far behind" with the goals of the company. The leaker proposes that the electric vehicle manufacturer has enlisted the help of a "third party" tech company to upgrade its current systems.

In the software, "green" found something under the codename "Phoenix" which the leaker found odd and new. The research led the leaker to an Israeli technology company named Arbe Robotics that has a 4D radar technology under the name "Phoenix."

Elon Musk: LiDAR won't be used

Leaks are now speculating that Tesla would use the new radar equipment from Arbe Robotics soon on its electric vehicles and Autopilot ventures. Future upgrades would have a more powerful autonomous driving system, especially when the FSD would be completed by Tesla and released to the public.

Four-dimensional radar technology is indeed a powerful tech for Tesla's electric vehicle. However, another tech is popular for the power it brings to radar systems. The so-called LiDAR systems provide more imaging and sensor technology when integrated to devices, famously utilized by Apple's iPhone 12 Pro series.

However, according to Electrek, Elon Musk rejects the idea of LiDAR technology on its EVs and sticks with 4D imaging. The Tesla CEO even went as far as saying that even though LiDAR would be offered free, he still wouldn't put it in the EVs.

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo