After Tesla revealed last year that it would transition to a vision-only approach to its self-driving system, the company revealed that it would no longer add radar and ultrasonic sensors to the system. These components were previously included in the original suite of software, which also included a front-facing radar and eight cameras around the car.

The ultrasonic sensors, which were previously used to detect vehicles in parking situations, are no longer being used in the system. Instead, Tesla will use a camera-based approach.

In 2021, the company started removing radar from its vehicles. In 2022, it transitioned to using cameras in the system. Today, most of Tesla’s cars are equipped with the company’s vision-based autonomous driving software.

In 2023, Tesla will remove ultrasonic sensors from the Model S and the Model X. The company will also remove these components from the Model 3 and Model Y. As a result, Vision vehicles without USS sensors will not be able to detect vehicles in parking situations. To restore this functionality, the company will update the software over the air once it gains parity with the sensors.

Tesla noted that it has also launched a vision-based occupancy network, which is currently in the beta version of its self-driving software. This new approach allows the system to recognize and identify objects in the surroundings. In addition, it allows the system to maintain a high-definition spatial positioning.

Tesla has always been averse to a more-is-better sensor approach in its FSD and Autopilot systems. This has placed it in the minority in the self-driving tech industry. Other companies, such as Google and Intel, have been able to reduce the cost of various sensors by incorporating as many as possible. Some of the vehicles that will be equipped with Level 3 autonomy, which will allow them to detect and identify objects in the surroundings, will also feature solid-state LiDAR sensors.

Critics of Tesla’s decision have noted that the company’s move to a camera-based approach makes its driver-assist systems useless at night. They also noted that the company’s decision to remove ultrasonic sensors is another cost-cutting measure. While it’s not considered a major change in the company’s approach to self-driving, some industry observers believe that the company is still focused on developing software that can interpret two-dimensional images.

It should be noted that not all of the systems currently under development will rely solely on cameras. Instead, automakers are currently trying to pack as many sensors as possible into the robotaxis of their vehicles. Some observers believe that Tesla’s decision to rely on cameras is a confirmation that its self-driving software will not move beyond Level 2, which requires constant attention from the driver.