Tesla CEO Ellon Musk has urged users to be cautious while using the newly released "autopilot" mode which was rolled out over the air to model the Model S and new Model X in North America.
Tesla Version 7.0 software's autopilot mode is designed to relieve drivers of the most tedious and potentially dangerous aspects of road as it allows the car to automatically steer down the highway, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic.
Media sources cited Musk as saying: "It should not hit pedestrians, hopefully, "It should handle them well.
"The driver cannot abdicate responsibility. That will come at some point in the future."
The new technology was launched after Tesla tested it on Model S by equipping the car with forward radar, a forward-looking camera, 12 long-range ultrasonic sensors, and a digitally-controlled electric assist braking system.
The EV maker said that the updated functions will work in a similar manner as that of autopilot in airplane. However, the driver will be responsible for controlling the car.
Users will be provided with intuitive access to the information the car is using to inform its actions.
Musk added: "If there's heavy snow it's going to be harder for the system to work, so we'd advise caution.
"Essentially it's like a person - how well can a person figure out what route they should take. Over time it will be better than a person.
"Long term it will be way better than a person. It never gets tired, it's never had anything to drink, it's never arguing with someone in the car. It's not distracted."
The company is waiting for regulatory approval from other countries to roll out the feature to Tesla owners located in different parts of the world.
