Tesla Pushes Software Update Allowing Cars to Steer Automatically in Emergencies, Even Without Full Self-Driving Activation
Tesla has begun rolling out software update v14.3.9 that enables its vehicles to steer away from imminent collisions even if the driver hasn't activated Full Self-Driving (FSD). This feature expands Tesla's active safety capabilities beyond Automatic Emergency Braking, allowing cars to take control in critical situations. The timing of this rollout coincides with a broader push for FSD subscriptions. As of Q2 2026, approximately 1.48 million users had active FSD subscriptions globally—a 56% year-over-year increase—suggesting Tesla is leveraging emergency interventions to showcase the value of its paid software. However, this development comes amid growing concerns around AI safety and regulatory scrutiny. Elon Musk recently endorsed calls for slowing down AI progress, a stance that Barron's highlighted as contradictory given his aggressive push in autonomous driving technology.
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Topics: automated safety features self-driving technology software update Tesla FSD