Tesla has a deal with Baidu to update its mapping software, bringing it closer to deploying FSD in China.
The Chinese tech giant announced Tesla lane-level navigation on Saturday. This level of navigation can give drivers detailed information, including lane advice before turns, to improve safety, according to Baidu (BIDU).
During Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s surprise visit to China at the end of April, experts suggested a Baidu mapping and navigation contract was one of his biggest obstacles to regulatory approval to roll out FSD software.
Baidu claimed in a statement that Tesla’s navigation can precisely render lane changes on the route the user is on, upgrading from road-level guidance to lane-level guidance.
Tesla has used China’s Google equivalent for mapping since 2020. Before Saturday’s update, it only provided “road-level” information, which is less accurate than lane-level guidance.
Tesla released its new software version for urban Chinese drivers a day early, noting on WeChat that such precise road information was accessible “for the first time.”
Autopilot is standard on all Teslas; however, FSD costs extra. China offers autopilot, but not FSD.
Partnering with Baidu would eliminate an impediment because the Chinese company has mapping credentials for driver assistance.
Chinese law requires self-driving systems to be mapped before driving on public roads. Foreign vehicle firms must work with licensed Chinese companies for surveying and mapping.
Tesla could operate its full self-driving system on China’s public roads with Baidu’s help, collecting data on road layout, traffic signs, and structures.
Data from China might train Tesla’s algorithms for fully autonomous vehicles, accelerating its global development.
Tesla’s prior navigation systems, which were also provided by Baidu, had long been criticized on social media by car owners who had to use smartphone maps while driving.
