• Tesla is going to update the Model S via download so it can go further on a charge.
    23 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinted Sunday that the Model S electric sedan is about to travel farther on a single charge. Musk tweeted that Tesla (TSLA) will hold a press conference on Thursday, during which the company will announce that the entire Model S fleet will get a software update that will "end range anxiety." Like smartphones, Tesla cars can receive wireless "over-the-air" updates to their software, giving the cars new capabilities without the need to bring them to a mechanic. [/QUOTE] [url]http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/15/autos/elon-musk-tesla/index.html?iid=HP_LN[/url] What times we are living in.
You wouldn't download a car, they said.
The tweet [Quote]@elonmusk Tesla press conf at 9am on Thurs. About to end range anxiety ... via OTA software update. Affects entire Model S fleet.[/quote]
Their next software update will make the Model S waterproof and able to be charged by microwaves.
He didn't actually say anything about increasing the range, the update could be something as simple as an upgrade to the navigation system that automatically routes you to chargers and includes charge time in the total estimated travel time.
[QUOTE=Jamsponge;47330127]Their next software update will make the Model S waterproof and able to be charged by microwaves.[/QUOTE] That's a big fucking microwave.
how the hell is this even possible? was the original drive software that bad that it ate into the range dramatically the article says the roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles on a similar update
[QUOTE=Sableye;47330370]how the hell is this even possible? was the original drive software that bad that it ate into the range dramatically the article says the roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles on a similar update[/QUOTE] The programs for the computers are probably making them more efficient at controlling power and streamlining various systems, similarly kinda to how you can remap an ICE to change the powerband [editline]16th March 2015[/editline] If you rag it, you'll still get shit mileage, but it will be more obvious when cruising
[QUOTE=Sableye;47330370]how the hell is this even possible? was the original drive software that bad that it ate into the range dramatically the article says the roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles on a similar update[/QUOTE] The Roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles if you purchased the 400 mile range battery that was recently released. The article is stupid for implying that it was a software update.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;47330425]The Roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles if you purchased the 400 mile range battery that was recently released. The article is stupid for implying that it was a software update.[/QUOTE] ah, i think i remember that now, but still how does this do anything at all, does this just release an "optimized" version of the eco drive or something?
[QUOTE=Sableye;47330500]ah, i think i remember that now, but still how does this do anything at all, does this just release an "optimized" version of the eco drive or something?[/QUOTE] No idea. My speculation is just upgrades to the navigation system that makes it easier to find chargers and determine whether you'll need to use them or not. But there's no reason why a software update [i]couldn't[/i] make the vehicle use less power. They've already released a software update for the P85D that increased range by a tiny bit by just making the car use the motors more efficiently.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;47330425]The Roadster went from 150 miles to 400 miles if you purchased the 400 mile range battery that was recently released. The article is stupid for implying that it was a software update.[/QUOTE] The Roadster update was a whole new kit. Roadster 3.0. It replaced body panels for more aerodynamic ones, and gave it a better battery since the old Roadster battery was developed pre-Model S.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;47330543]No idea. My speculation is just upgrades to the navigation system that makes it easier to find chargers and determine whether you'll need to use them or not. But there's no reason why a software update [i]couldn't[/i] make the vehicle use less power. They've already released a software update for the P85D that increased range by a tiny bit by just making the car use the motors more efficiently.[/QUOTE] I can imagine a percentage increase in range by say 10 or 20% via a software update (Presumably more efficient motor control algorithms), but a +200% improvement just from software alone seems fishy.
[QUOTE=OvB;47330847]The Roadster update was a whole new kit. Roadster 3.0. It replaced body panels for more aerodynamic ones, and gave it a better battery since the old Roadster battery was developed pre-Model S.[/QUOTE] Interesting. Does it use a similar battery to what's in the Model S then?
[QUOTE=Zeke129;47331580]Interesting. Does it use a similar battery to what's in the Model S then?[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/roadster-30[/url] They basically put their most up-to-date battery technology into the Roadster pack. They drove it from San Jose to Los Angeles on a single charge with 20 miles to spare. The 3.0 upgrade is not available yet, and it will not be free. [editline]15th March 2015[/editline] Something that I noticed when this Model S upgrade was first mentioned, when they unveiled the Roadster 3.0 retrofit, they said there wasn't a similar range upgrade for the Model S in the near term. I'm curious to see what's going to be unveiled on Thursday.
The interior for 90k(TeslaS) was really unimpressive. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also what's stopping people from having auxiliary batteries so they can drive cross country on one charge. Or possible a foldable solar panel that can essentially turn the automobile into a modern horse carriage. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also is there anyway to just dump all of the batter power to the wheels and go so fast you need drag strip tires? [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also will the engine tuners of the future be programmers?
[QUOTE=RopaDope;47339897]The interior for 90k(TeslaS) was really unimpressive. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also what's stopping people from having auxiliary batteries so they can drive cross country on one charge. Or possible a foldable solar panel that can essentially turn the automobile into a modern horse carriage.[/QUOTE] Technology. In order to make it cross country with today's technology, you would need to have the vehicle specially designed for cross country. Current solar cross country cars take 41+ hours to travel 1,700 miles, even though they are designed to be aerodynamic, measure around 16' long, 6' wide, and only weigh ~400 lbs. current technology just doesn't allow for a family solar sedan that can do the same. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=RopaDope;47339897]Also is there anyway to just dump all of the batter power to the wheels and go so fast you need drag strip tires? [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also will the engine tuners of the future be programmers?[/QUOTE] "Dumping the power" depends on if the battery can handle the quick discharge, if the power cables can handle the current, and if the motor can spool fast enough with the load the car and added traction puts on it. There are electric drag cars. Also, engine tuners are already programmers. Whenever you "tune" a car, you're adjusting things like spark timing, fuel injector voltages, injector pulse widths, fuel pump voltages, fuel maps, and even electric boost controllers in some vehicles. These are controlled via the car's ECM, which is changed via the OBDII port using a computer and specialty software. They "write" programs for your vehicle to run off of. "Engine tuners" will most likely only change to add in supplemental electric motors to ICE power plants. However, I think we will see a cropping up of "car tuners" or programmers for EVs, but I don't see your everyday Mustang or Camaro specialty shop knowing how to program Teslas.
[QUOTE=RopaDope;47339897]The interior for 90k(TeslaS) was really unimpressive. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also what's stopping people from having auxiliary batteries so they can drive cross country on one charge. Or possible a foldable solar panel that can essentially turn the automobile into a modern horse carriage. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also is there anyway to just dump all of the batter power to the wheels and go so fast you need drag strip tires? [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Also will the engine tuners of the future be programmers?[/QUOTE] The battery weighs a few tons. Solar would take too long, but it would be a neat emergency idea if you got stranded in the middle of fuck-all with no Internet to phone service. The high voltage circuit(thing that makes it an EV) powers the drivetrain exclusively, and keeps the low voltage circuit charged. (Like an alternator on an ICE vehicle. EVs carry a standard car battery too for things like dashboard controls and what not). You can control the launch settings in the dashboard computer, but they're pre-programmed factory settings. The car has a limiter on speed, and it already accelerates faster than a McLaren F1 for the dual motor version. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] As for cross-country. It's the only BEV that gets a few hundred miles per charge. Teslas were designed to beat range anxiety because theres no point in a car that can only got 60 miles before you have to plug it in again. More range will come with technology and updates like this presumably.
Solar recharging as part of the car - even for emergencies - isn't feasible. Let's take the abortion that is the Fisker Karma for example. Assuming someone left it outside in the sun under perfect conditions [I] for a week[/i], the solar panel in the roof would recharge maybe a mile or two of energy. You're better off calling AAA. Elon stated that this update would "bring a lot of new functionality to the car" in the last conference, and that profits earned last quarter in relation to the autopilot would be deferred to this month. Money says we're about to see the activation of a lot of the autopilot features. I took delivery of an S85D last week so I'm excited as fuck.
Since the entire car is electric, improving range is as simple as decreasing wasted power. Probably a lot of back end stuff, which really adds up over multiple hours.
[QUOTE=OvB;47340418]The battery weighs a few tons. Solar would take too long, but it would be a neat emergency idea if you got stranded in the middle of fuck-all with no Internet to phone service. The high voltage circuit(thing that makes it an EV) powers the drivetrain exclusively, and keeps the low voltage circuit charged. (Like an alternator on an ICE vehicle. EVs carry a standard car battery too for things like dashboard controls and what not). You can control the launch settings in the dashboard computer, but they're pre-programmed factory settings. The car has a limiter on speed, and it already accelerates faster than a McLaren F1 for the dual motor version. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] As for cross-country. It's the only BEV that gets a few hundred miles per charge. Teslas were designed to beat range anxiety because theres no point in a car that can only got 60 miles before you have to plug it in again. More range will come with technology and updates like this presumably.[/QUOTE] So a second battery would add so much weight it would negate any extended range or what?
[QUOTE=RopaDope;47339897]Also is there anyway to just dump all of the batter power to the wheels and go so fast you need drag strip tires? [/QUOTE] Yes. You pull the traction control fuses [video=youtube;EawqeL6qXGQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EawqeL6qXGQ[/video]
[QUOTE=RopaDope;47351257]So a second battery would add so much weight it would negate any extended range or what?[/QUOTE] Yeah. Space too. [editline]19th March 2015[/editline] It was..... a route planner. [Quote]@teslmotors New Software Update: Trip Planner & Range Assurance expand Model S intelligence to give drivers peace of mind and eliminate range anxiety.[/Quote] [editline]19th March 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Zeke129;47330543]No idea. My speculation is just upgrades to the navigation system that makes it easier to find chargers and determine whether you'll need to use them or not. But there's no reason why a software update [i]couldn't[/i] make the vehicle use less power. They've already released a software update for the P85D that increased range by a tiny bit by just making the car use the motors more efficiently.[/QUOTE] Zeke wins. [editline]19th March 2015[/editline] Here's a press kit: [url]http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit[/url] [editline]19th March 2015[/editline] There was also an update to the Autopilot, and a valet mode that locks the driver out of personal information, access to the trunks and glovebox, and allows you to limit speed.
I like the idea of a "hey, you're getting out of range of chargers!" warning, it's a bit more proactive than I predicted. A shame it doesn't somehow integrate with plugshare/etc though. Unless you're American or in a few European countries this feature won't really be useful. Here in Canada we already have a nationwide network of EV chargers through Sun Country Highway. They're nowhere near as fast as the Tesla superchargers but as long as you know where they are you don't really have an excuse to be stranded without power.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.