How To Install Tesla Software Updates | FOTA Vs. SOTA

Tesla software updates are quite important since it allows your electric car to have its best performance. As of the moment, the giant EV maker rolls out these essential system enhancements consistently but in an irregular pattern. 

(Photo : Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)A seller shows the dashboard of the Tesla Model S car at the electric carmaker Tesla showroom of El Corte Ingles store in Lisbon, on September 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

The upload rates of these updates would also depend on the model that you currently own. This simply means that there are some versions of Tesla that have faster software update rollouts compared to others. 

Tesla software updates have two major phases: the download and install stages. During the first pages, the giant EV maker would automatically send you new features, but these would be active unless you install them. Since this is the case, drivers can use their cars safely during the process. 

In the second phase (installation), owners would not be able to drive their Teslas for safety reasons. On the other hand, the charging process would also be halted. This means that you need to finish installing the new software updates before you can charge or drive your EVs. 

How To Install Tesla Software Updates

According to Electrek's latest report, installing the new Tesla software updates is pretty simple. You can follow these steps to complete the process:

(Photo : Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)Tesla CEO Elon Musk uses his mobile device as he sits in the car arriving to the construction site for the new plant, the so-called "Giga Factory", of US electric carmaker Tesla in Gruenheide near Berlin, northeastern Germany. - The site still has only provisional construction permits, but Tesla has been authorised by local officials to begin work at its own risk. Tesla is aiming to produce 500,000 electric vehicles a year at the plant.

1. The first thing you need to do is check if there are new software updates. To do this, you need to choose the "Controls" option and then click the "Software" tab. 
2. After that, you can now choose the yellow clock icon to schedule your installation. Once you are done, the icon should now be white. 
3. On the other hand, you can also set automatic software updates. Just follow this system path to activate it: "Controls" > "Software" > "Software Update Preference" 
4. From there, you can now choose between "Advanced" or "Standard" options. 

Right now, Tesla is rolling out new software updates for its FSD. Recently, we reported that Tesla FSD would upgrade its NN to enhance permanence. 

Aside from its actual EVs, the giant EV maker is also working on some new factories, such as the upcoming Tesla Canada battery plant.  

SOTA Vs. FOTA

As of the moment, Tesla is utilizing FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) and SOTA (Software Over-The-Air) updates. 

To help you know their differences, SOTA updates focus on system enhancements that control your EV's electronic signal processing system or physical parts. This means that they are more applicable to user interfaces, such as navigation and infotainment screens. 

On the other hand, the FOTA update is quite uncommon to some EV brands. Electric cars need to have speedy connectivity, massive computing power, and cybersecurity before they can utilize FOTA. 

Tesla is one of the few automakers that use the Firmware Over-The-Air update process, thanks to the company's massive efforts. Yahoo Finance reported that Elon Musk's EV company was able to exceed the expectations for its 3Q earnings. If you want to know the growth of the giant American car developer, you can click this link.