An interesting implication of that statement is that all the hardware to make this functionality work is already in the vehicle if it's just a software update.
> Every single Model S now rolling out of the factory includes a forward radar, 12 long range ultrasonic sensors positioned to sense 16 feet around the car in every direction at all speeds, a forward looking camera, and a high precision, digitally controlled electric assist braking system.
Does anyone know how their system might compare to the spinning Lidar thingamajigs Google uses on their cars?
The lidar that google uses provides a huge amount more information. Add that to the detailed maps that the google vehicle uses and it's pretty clear that these vehicles aren't really trying to do the same thing. Google's trying to handle fully driverless operation but Tesla's going for a more immediately commercializable middle ground.
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/dual-motor-model-s-and-autop...