Issue 332 - Camouflaged Tesla Robotaxi prototype sighted

DIY Protection with Fenylab
[Sponsored] Feynlab’s DIY products follow a regimen: Preparation, Protection, and Maintenance. First Prepare the paint by washing it with Pure Wash, followed by Panel Prep to remove any residual oil or contaminants. Then Protect your Tesla using Ceramic Lite - the easiest coating to apply. Then Maintain the coating with Pure Wash, and if you want that extra touch of protection, follow it up with Ceramic Spray Sealant every couple of months.

FSD

Tesla AI team publishes FSD feature roadmap
This is very exciting, the Tesla AI team has laid out an exciting roadmap for future Full Self-Driving (FSD) updates, including significant improvements to AI software like ~3x and ~6x better intervention intervals with versions v12.5.2 and v13, respectively; the introduction of 'Actually Smart Summon' and 'Cybertruck Autopark'; and the anticipation of bringing FSD to Europe and China in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals. These advancements point to a more seamless and autonomous driving experience on the horizon for Tesla owners. Can't wait!

Tesla updates FSD package, now 'FSD supervised' only
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) package has undergone a naming change; the company has revised the marketing on their website to offer 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' in place of the original 'Full Self-Driving Capability.' With regulatory compliance in mind, this rewording potentially sets a limit on expectations for full autonomy, suggesting that ongoing driver supervision may be necessary even for future software iterations.

Karpathy believes Tesla leads over Waymo in self-driving race 📹
Andrej Karpathy, former head of Tesla AI, expresses confidence in Tesla's self-driving program, asserting that its software-focused challenges are more manageable than Waymo's hardware issues. His bullish stance on Tesla is fueled by significant improvements in recent builds and a belief that Tesla's approach will prove more scalable and revenue-generating in the long-term compared to Waymo.

Software Updates

Update 2024.32.3 brings hands-free frunk opening to Teslas
The latest Tesla software update, 2024.32.3, rolls out hands-free frunk opening for vehicles equipped with an ultra-wideband chip—specifically, the refreshed Model S, new Model X, and the 2024 Model 3, with anticipation for Cybertruck support soon. This feature builds upon the hands-free trunk access introduced earlier this year and can be enabled in the vehicle's settings. It comes with a new 'Exclude Home' option for added convenience, preventing accidental openings at home, and promises improved phone key detection for faster response times.

Comparison of Actually Smart Summon on HW3 vs HW4 Teslas 📹
Tesla's new 'Actually Smart Summon' (ASS) feature has been tried out in real-world parking scenarios by a select group of beta testers, showcasing its capability to autonomously drive a Tesla car to the owner using the phone app. Videos demonstrate that the feature operates similarly on both the HW3 and the latest HW4 hardware versions with only minor differences, despite the older models having ultrasonic sensors and a legacy processor, and the newer ones boasting an AMD Ryzen APU without ultrasonics

Robotaxi

Camouflaged Tesla Robotaxi prototype sighted at Warner Bros. Burbank 📷
A camouflaged prototype believed to be Tesla's upcoming Robotaxi "Cybercab" was recently spotted near Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. This two-seater vehicle, smaller than a Model Y, was wrapped in bright yellow and adorned with dummy panels, suggesting Tesla's efforts to keep its design under wraps. Tesla has been actively testing a fleet of vehicles around the area, and the prototype's design echoes the Robotaxi concept shown in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk. Tesla plans to produce the Robotaxi at Giga Texas using an "unboxed" process.

Cybertruck & Semi

James May explores the Tesla Cybertruck's design 📹
James May delves into the Cybertruck's unconventional design while tooling around sunny California. He likens its angular, flat-plane style to iconic, radical designs of the past and ponders its visual appeal alongside modern vehicles. While noting some practical quirks and the steer-by-wire feature, May expresses appreciation for the truck's bold presence, ultimately pitching the idea of a smaller, similar-styled Tesla model.

Tesla replaces all diesel trucking with Tesla Semis
Dan Priestley, Tesla's head of Semi engineering, announced that the company has successfully transitioned from diesel trucks to their own Tesla Semis for transporting goods. Not only has this shift resulted in lower operating costs, but it also hasn't impacted delivery schedules or payload capacities, underscoring the efficiency of the electric Semis. Let's go!

Incentives

Tesla launches new 'Schedule a Drive' page 📷
Tesla's latest website update introduces a 'Schedule a Drive' feature, integrating Full Self-Driving (FSD) into test drive experiences with a convenient quick book option—making it easier than ever for potential buyers to arrange a test drive at their nearest available Tesla location.

New Tesla Model 3 offer: $0 down at delivery
Tesla announces a tempting offer where you can now secure a Tesla Model 3 with $0 due at delivery and enjoy low-financing options—2.49% APR or even 1.99% APR with a 20% down payment for loans up to 60 months.

🤓 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.

AMD: Advanced Micro Devices
APU: Accelerated Processing Unit
ASS: Actually Smart Summon
FSD: Full Self-Driving
HW3: Autopilot Hardware version 3. Autopilot hardware manufactured in/after February 2019 for Model S / Model X, and in/after April 2019 for Model 3.
HW4: Autopilot Hardware version 4