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Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) released a software upgrade for its in-car navigation system in China on Friday. The electric vehicle maker highlighted on its WeChat account that the upgrade includes new features, such as displaying lane markings on its maps that are closer to representing the actual lanes on the road.
Tesla (TSLA) said the upgrade should reduce users’ reliance on smartphone applications while driving.
Media reports in China indicate that Baidu (BIDU) is the map service provider for Tesla’s (TSLA) update navigation system. The upgrade could help improve the perception in China that Tesla’s (TSLA) navigation system is not accurate enough to rely on.
Looking ahead, Tesla (TSLA) is working towards introducing its Full Self-Driving software system in China. Sources told Reuters that Tesla (TSLA) employees could conduct internal testing of FSD on public roads in China if the company successfully registers the FSD software with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The next step would be to offer FSD as an upgrade to Chinese customers later this year.
Shares of Tesla (TSLA) were down 1.09% in premarket trading to $176.00. The EV stock has roughly traded in a range of $166 to $186 over the last six weeks ahead of the Austin-based company’s annual shareholder meeting next week.
