Issue 329 - Actually Smart Summon (ASS)

Optimus

Tesla hiring Optimus robot trainers with height & fitness criteria
Tesla's latest job opening involves hands-on work with their Optimus robot, as the company seeks Data Collection Operators at its Palo Alto facility. These operators will gear up in motion-capture suits and VR headsets, following specific routes for data collection. Candidates should be comfortable with VR environments, fit enough to walk for lengthy periods with added weight, and meet a height requirement of 5'7'' to 5'11''. Optimus' neural net runs entirely end-to-end, meaning it takes camera inputs all the way to perform actions. This position is clearly focused on data collection for the robot, with a human performing the same tasks while wearing a VR headset that records what the cameras in the robot would see. Factors like height are crucial for calibration in this role.

Accessories

Cybertruck spotted with new lightbar and aero wheel covers 📷
The Cybertruck is showing off with its new lightbar accessory, which has been in the wings since its original unveiling, and fresh aero wheel covers. Fans at a Supercharger got a sneak peek, with the lightbar's range shining bright up to 480 meters—promising for future outdoor adventures. Plus, the convenience of UI-controlled light settings adds a touch of seamlessness to the user experience. Additional Cybertruck accessories like the tailgate ramp are still on the horizon, as Tesla powers up production in Austin.

Tesla unveils Cybertruck-inspired cooler with a steep price 📷
Tesla's new Cybertruck Cooler, designed to complement the aesthetic of the much-anticipated Cybertruck, has been unveiled, featuring a stainless-steel finish and boasting the capacity to hold around 90 canned beverages with its 56-quart volume. Retailing at $700, the cooler misses the mark by not including a power connection, despite the Cybertruck's frunk offering a power feed for potential electric-powered accessories. I hope someone releases an aftermarket alternative that fits better, is cheaper, and gets it right where Tesla missed the mark.

FSD

Actually Smart Summon (ASS) feature detected in Tesla app
Actually Smart Summon' (ASS), an anticipated Tesla feature promising more autonomous vehicle navigation in parking scenarios, has been a topic of interest among Tesla enthusiasts since 2022, but its release has been repeatedly delayed. When Tesla first released Smart Summon, there was some initial excitement from the community, but it quickly wore off as it was slow, clunky, and, at least for me, it required such close attention that it defeated the purpose. Let's hope Actually Smart Summon really raises the bar when it finally comes out.

Haven't tried Supervised FSD yet? Schedule a demo today
Tesla enthusiasts in the US & Canada now have the opportunity to experience Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology firsthand by scheduling a supervised demo drive at any Tesla location. It's your chance to get behind the wheel and witness the capabilities of FSD with a Tesla specialist guiding you through the features.

Under the hood

Generation 2 4680 'Cybercell' teardown highlights 📹
The Limiting Factor's latest teardown video with UC San Diego examines the upgrades from Tesla's first-generation 4680 battery cell to the second-generation 'Cybercell.' A key improvement includes a 20-gram reduction in the cell with a thinner can and a simpler structure, accomplished by welding the tab-less electrode directly to the lid, bypassing the need for a copper current collector. This teardown also anticipates insights into the energy density and confirmation of the use of dry electrode technology, with detailed results expected in the following videos.

Cybertruck

Cybertruck ordering process streamlined
Tesla has streamlined the Cybertruck ordering process, removing previous complexities in an effort to make it simpler for customers. Initially offering three trims for reservation—single motor RWD, dual-motor AWD, and tri-motor AWD—Tesla has revised their online configurator to reflect current production models and ease the reservation experience.

Tesla Cybertruck's core wheels boost range
The Tesla Cybertruck with the new 20-inch Core Wheels is delivering tangible efficiency gains, recently achieving around 400 miles of range on a full charge in city driving conditions. Though the range boost isn't reaching the initially promised 500 miles, users reported city efficiencies comparable to the Model Y and reduced only slightly to 370 miles with highway driving included. While US deliveries have started, Canadian customers are currently receiving the All-Terrain tires, with a winter tire package on the horizon for enhanced performance.

New Options

New gray textile interior for Model 3 RWD in Mexico 📷
Tesla introduces an exclusive Gray Textile Interior for the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) in Mexico, simplifying customer choices by making it the sole interior option available in this market. With this update, buyers of the Model 3 RWD in Mexico will enjoy stylish grey textile seats alongside the vehicle's standard features.

🤓 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.

ASS: Actually Smart Summon
AWD: All Wheel Drive
FSD: Full Self-Driving
RWD: Rear Wheel Drive