Tesla's latest software updates for some its vehicles now include a windshield-wiper setting with rain-detecting capabilities. It was announced with the typical Tesla fanfare — via a tweet from founder Elon Musk, posted just after midnight EST.
Related: Tesla Chills Out Model S, Model X Acceleration
While many vehicles on the road today have rain-sensing windshield wipers as a standard or optional feature, Tesla had thus far avoided it. Other vehicles with this feature use light-detecting sensors; Tesla has instead relied on existing cameras installed in its vehicles. With the use of a "neural net," cameras in the car detect precipitation and turn on the wipers if the wipers are on the correct setting.
While I understand "neural net" only slightly better than "bitcoin" or "blockchain," I have been assured that it is not a net the driver has to wear over the head, nor is it in any way attached to the brain. It seems rather to be a computer network set up to resemble an actual neural network, capable of learning a task over time — a task like activating the windshield wipers when it detects precipitation. That's probably better than a hairnet connected to the brain, anyway.
The automatic wipers are currently in beta testing. To see them in action, check out the video below.
Using a neural net to detect rain using cameras (no dedicated rain or sun sensors). Computers are very patient. https://t.co/YM0tQ6vLOV
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2018
's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with 's long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of 's advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.