Tesla has started releasing its much-awaited Autopilot update. The new update was announced by the company's CEO Elon Musk on Saturday. He said that the update had been sent to a select set of newer Tesla cars. The company will continue sending the update to other vehicles this week.

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The latest update is specifically designed for Tesla vehicles with newer hardware installations. These features were made standard in October last year. The main features of such enhanced hardware are ultrasonic sensors, more cameras, augmented onboard computer and radar.

However, these cars did not come with some Autopilot features which were available in the older models. Tesla had explained that the new hardware systems were not validated enough to accommodate such features. These features include lane guidance and automatic emergency braking.

The latest update will bring these features to the new cars. However, there are several reports suggesting that some of these functions may still be in the limited mode even after the update. Tesla introduced the enhanced hardware system after parting ways with Mobileye.

Musk had promised that this software update would be rolled out by mid-December last year. According to Electrek, Tesla release notes stated that: "We've designed these [first phase] Autopilot features to give you more confidence behind the wheel, increase your safety on the road, and make driving in traffic less frustrating."

With the new update, owners of Tesla cars will be in better position to harness the capabilities of a better hardware system. The new cars come equipped with eight cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors which enable the vehicle to detect hard and soft objects. Its forward-facing radar can see through rough weather conditions such as fog and heavy rain.