Musk writes about the release of the beta version of FSD 11.4.4

Elon Musk announced on Twitter the imminent release of Tesla’s FSD Beta version 11.4.4, saying it’ll go out later this week. Musk’s declarations, however, should be understood within context; it’s well-known among Tesla followers that Musk’s release forecasts tend to be somewhat optimistic, and actual releases often occur later.

Tesla’s software update rollout typically involves a multi-stage process. The initial step consists of a stringent evaluation of the update by Tesla’s Quality Assurance department. Following their green signal, the update is released internally among Tesla’s workforce. If no substantial issues arise during this preliminary testing phase, a select group of owners with FSD Beta, will receive the update.

Potential Enhancements in FSD Beta 11.4.4

Musk’s announcement leaves room for speculation regarding the improvements the FSD Beta 11.4.4 update might bring. With Musk not providing explicit details, we’re left to infer from past versions. Significant FSD enhancements characterized the updates in Beta 11.4 and 11.4.1. However, Beta 11.4.2 and 11.4.3 were predominantly concentrated on bug fixes and refinements.

This history leaves the path of Beta 11.4.4 unclear. It could focus on rectifying the previous version’s bugs or introducing new, significant FSD upgrades. The latter could imply improved capabilities like better recognition of objects, improved navigation through more complex roads, or more nuanced interaction with pedestrians and cyclists.

Will FSD Beta 11.4.4 Be Based On a Newer Update?

As we delve into the technicalities, the question arises whether the new 11.4.4 update will be based on a new production branch, such as 2023.12 or 2023.20, or if it’ll remain on 2023.7, which maintains consistency with Tesla’s 2023.6 code versions.

FSD Beta 11.3 was based on the 2022.45 update, and the 11.4.X series, including 11.4.1, 11.4.2, and 11.4.3, was based on 2023.7. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to speculate that 11.4.4 might follow suit.

Reflecting on the Present Distribution of FSD Beta

Tesla has been methodically and incrementally expanding the reach of its FSD Beta program. Approximately 50% of testers were granted access to the latest major update, FSD Beta 11.4.3. However, several users are still operating on version 11.4.2 or older. Tesla’s controlled approach indicates its dedication to refining the software and maintaining safety standards.