Tesla Adds Horses to FSD Visualization

Scotty4Scott

Tesla's FSD visualizations have become progressively more detailed, and the newest addition is specifically a horse. A recent sighting confirms that FSD can now render horses accurately in the driving visualization, addressing another uncommon on-road edge case.

This change follows a recent asset update that added 15 new FSD visualizations, including ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, vulnerable road users, and golf carts. Those visualizations have not been enabled for everyone. Notably, when the new 3D models were first discovered in the firmware, no additional animal models were present, which suggests the horse model is a recent inclusion.

We have also received reports of some users seeing golf carts visualized, though those have not been enabled for everyone.

Hold Your Horses

The new visualization, spotted on the streets by Scotty4Scott, shows a horse trotting next to the vehicle. Tesla has long been able to detect pedestrians and dogs, but it has often rendered larger animals as dogs or humans. The new 3D models are already in the firmware, and Tesla can likely enable rendering of those assets remotely.

Recognizing that an object is present is important, but as reasoning is applied, correctly identifying what the object is becomes increasingly significant.

Not Horsing Around

Having a 3D horse model available suggests more visibility into FSD's reasoning abilities. If FSD's visual recognition can specifically label an object as “horse” rather than as a generic obstacle, it can apply a distinct behavioral policy and plan around that object's presence.

Unlike a pedestrian or a car, a horse can be skittish, unpredictable, and easily spooked by loud noises or close passes. By classifying the animal correctly, FSD can adjust its planner to use the appropriate speed and offset around the horse, ensuring it isn't treated the same way it would closely pass a car.

For drivers in rural areas, Amish communities, or cities with mounted police, this provides a visual confirmation that the car recognizes the animal correctly and understands it isn't just a strangely shaped pedestrian.