Tesla EVs Now Detect Potholes, Adjust Suspension to Avoid Damage

pcmag.com:

Driving over a pothole can be uncomfortable for the occupants and damaging for the vehicle, so Tesla is attempting to solve the problem using automatic suspension adjustments.

As Electrek reports(Opens in a new window), a new software update (2022.20(Opens in a new window)) released by Tesla allows its electric vehicles to scan rough roads for damage such as potholes. If detected, the suspension of the vehicle will be automatically adjusted to ensure the comfort of the driver and any passengers on board. However, it will also reduce the potential for damage to the car.

Tesla has been talking about the ability for its vehicles to do this since 2020, but it's finally ready to be deployed two years later. It works by downloading map data which has the location of road damage included. That way the vehicle knows ahead of time if a pothole or some other hazard is approaching. If a newly-damaged section is discovered, this will be added to the map data and subsequently shared with other vehicles next time they grab the map data.

This is actually an idea Google filed a patent for back in 2015. Google's system relied on using GPS location and required additional sensors be added to a car. Seven years later and Tesla's vehicle are full of sensors allowing them to capture very accurate information about location and the state of the environment around them.

Although this detection system requires a software update, it can only work if Tesla's Adaptive Suspension system is also available on the vehicle. That means both Model S and Model X vehicles will be able to take advantage of it. If you own either model and have the latest software update installed, navigate to Controls > Suspension > Adaptive Suspension Damping, and select