Issue 325 - New ambient lighting controls

Software Updates

Tesla app 4.35.0 brings new parental controls and energy-saving features 📷
Tesla's latest app update 4.35.0 introduces new parental controls, allowing you to manage acceleration, speed limits, and receive alerts for curfew breaches or disabled safety features. Additionally, the update conserves battery by only waking the car upon command, and adds a 'Request Data' option for enhanced privacy management.

Tesla updates bring new ambient lighting controls
Tesla's update 2024.26.1 enriches the ambient lighting experience by allowing Cybertruck and Model 3 owners to adjust the brightness of accent lights independently from the display's brightness. Additionally, a new 'Night Only' mode activates the accent lighting when outdoor conditions are dim, extending the LEDs' lifespan. These tweaks give users more customization options and improve nighttime aesthetics.

Batteries & Energy

Tesla secures multi-billion dollar Megapack contract
Tesla Energy has landed a significant multi-billion dollar contract to supply 15.3 GWh of Megapacks to Intersect Power, bolstering its position as a top battery supplier for energy storage systems in the U.S. These Megapacks will be crucial for upcoming large-scale solar and battery projects in California and Texas, aiming to enhance the renewable generation capacities through 2030.

Tesla is close to mastering 4680 cell production with dry electrodes
Tesla is nearing its goal to revolutionize battery production by implementing 4680 battery cells with dry electrode technology by late 2024. Overcoming the challenge of perfecting the dry electrode process means Tesla could increase production speed, reduce space requirements, and cut costs. With enough 4680 cells currently in production for outfitting over 1,000 Cybertrucks weekly, Tesla and its partners, LGES and Panasonic, are ramping up to meet the demands of this pioneering technology.

Incentives

Model 3 performance offers free paint with FSD purchase
Tesla spices up the deal for Model 3 Performance buyers by offering free paint upgrades when Full Self-Driving (FSD) is purchased, potentially saving customers up to $2,000. Sleek options like Ultra Red, usually a $2,000 premium, are now included with the $8,000 FSD package. This could give FSD adoption and Tesla's aesthetics a boost—tempting, isn't it, especially with that Ultra Red?

Cybertruck

Redesigned Cybertruck aero covers now being installed 📷
Tesla has resumed fitting Cybertrucks with aero covers, after a temporary halt due to the original design rubbing against tire sidewalls. The new aero covers feature a shorter spoke that avoids contact with tires while preserving the vehicle's efficiency—one of the first owners to get the update, shared images of the tweaked design. In the coming weeks, more Tesla Service Centers across the US will start installing these improved aero covers, addressing the original issue.

Off-road mode' video highlights Cybertruck's terrain adaptability 📹
A recent video titled 'Off-Road Mode' demonstrates the Tesla Cybertruck navigating various terrains with ease, highlighting its off-road mode and capabilities.

FSD

FSD v12.5 rolling out to employees and customers
Tesla's FSD V12.5 begins rolling out as update 2024.20.10, initially to employees and select 'OG testers', with a broader release to follow. According to Ashok, Director of Autopilot, this update doesn't include the highly expected merge of city and highway software stacks or the driving monitoring support for sunglasses, but he confirmed these features will come in future versions of V12.5.

Initial FSD v12.5 release targets Model Y with HW4
The initial roll-out of Tesla's Full Self-Drive (FSD) v12.5 will be focused exclusively on Model Y vehicles equipped with Hardware 4 (HW4), prioritizing a smooth launch. This release comes with a 5X bump in parameters, promising enhanced performance. Due to limitations in HW3, it will support the same parameter count but will need additional optimization.

FSD 12.5 successfully tackles a challenging intersection 📹
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 12.5 navigates through a previously troublesome intersection with ease, showing a marked improvement over earlier versions. The consensus on Twitter is that this new version is a lot smoother than v12.4. Can't wait to try it!

🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.

FSD: Full Self-Driving
HW3: Autopilot Hardware version 3
HW4: Autopilot Hardware version 4
OG: Original