Compared to traditional automakers, the pace of innovation and improvement at Tesla (TSLA) is consistently rapid.
It has only been around 6 years since Tesla launched the Model Y mid-sized electric SUV, but it has been constantly getting new updates and features throughout its lifespan.
To bring a fresh new look and differentiate it from the entry-level Model 3 compact electric sedan, Tesla launched the new Model Y, codenamed Juniper, earlier this year.
However, Tesla didn’t just put cosmetic changes on the table. The new Model Y is also better in terms of engineering and tech innovations compared to its previous generation.
In one of the official videos posted on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, Tesla lead engineer Lars Moravy explains the innovations of the new Model Y braking system.
Lars Moravy said that this is a “brand new brake system”. So, what was the need for introducing this new system?
In the previous generation Model Y and other existing Tesla vehicles, there’s a single brake master cylinder. Therefore, when the vehicle is driven on Autopilot/FSD, the brake pedal is physically pressed whenever the car brakes automatically.
As the human driver wants to intervene (take over driving from Autopilot), the brake pedal is pressed and is in an unexpected lower position. In the new Model Y Juniper, Tesla has removed this engineering flaw.
|
Above: Tesla engineer explains the brake system improvements in the new Model Y.
Tesla has now integrated two master cylinders for the brake system in the new Model Y. As the car is driven by Autopilot, the brake pedal intended for human use isn’t affected. On Autopilot, the car brakes without pressing the brake pedal.
Since the brake pedal remains in the same position when the car is self-driving and self-braking, it’s not lowered when the human driver wants to take over driving from the Autopilot Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.
Tesla Model Y Juniper is the first vehicle to get this newly engineered brake system. Tesla transitions new innovative systems to other vehicles as soon as possible. Tesla Model S and Model X refresh are due this year, and this new brake system is most probably going to make it to those cars as well.
A Tesla engineer explains the new braking system on the Model Y as:
In the new Model Y, we went through a total firmware integration of what happens with the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal.
This means that all our logic in terms of deceleration with the brakes, as well the traction control are now integrated and on top of having a much more consistent brake pedal feel, the brake is shorter, more responsive, gives you always the best possible stability.
===
Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Note: This article was published earlier on Tesla Oracle. Author: Iqtidar Ali.
