Tesla says its self-driving car will be introduced this year

New York

FOR many drivers who commute long distances, the prospect of owning a self-driving car - where a driver takes his hands off the wheel and feet off the gas - has been an elusive dream.

But on Thursday, Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla, took a big step in that direction when he announced that the maker of high-end electric cars would introduce autonomous technology by this summer.

Mr Musk said a software update - not a repair performed by a mechanic - would give Tesla's Model S sedans the ability to start…