Tesla update 2023.12.1 adds several exciting features
Not a Tesla App
Tesla's 2023.12.1 software update brings various new features and enhancements to its vehicles. One of the most significant updates is the steering wheel customization, specifically for Model 3 and Model Y. The video below shows how easy it is to use and navigate multiple menus.
The left scroll button now has multiple uses, enabling drivers to adjust settings such as brightness and Acceleration Mode and perform actions like toggling the Camera App, opening the glovebox, and saving Dashcam footage. To access these options, long press the left scroll button to display a list of functions and scroll through the list. To choose the default function, go to Controls > Display > Scroll Wheel Function.
Steering Wheel Customization is currently only available for the Model 3 and Model Y, but that may be changing soon.
The Tesla release notes reveal an icon with an upward arrow on the car, suggesting possible future suspension adjustments from the scroll wheel menu — a feature currently exclusive to Model S/X.
New Search Function
The new search function, located under the menu, displays options as you type and offers suggestions for easier access to controls and settings. This should make it easier to adjust specific options, especially if you're unsure which menu they're under.
Points of Interest with Photos and Reviews
When selecting a point of interest or Supercharger location, the updated software now includes photos and reviews to provide users with more information. For example, you can tap on a restaurant and immediately receive information about the menu, pictures and reviews.
Undocumented Wiper Adjustment Feature
You can finally adjust the wiper speed using the steering wheel scroll wheel
LexBarker (edited by Not a Tesla App)
The ability to adjust wipers using the steering wheel has been discovered as an undocumented feature in the 2023.12.1 release notes. You
You can now adjust the windshield wiper speed by using the scroll wheel on the steering wheel. First, press the button at the end of the left stalk to activate the windshield wipers and have the controls appear on the screen.
You can then tilt the left scroll wheel left/right to cycle through the various speeds of the windshield wipers.
There are various enhancements and changes to the UI in this update that Tesla didn't mention in their release notes. For a full list of all those changes, be sure to check our the release notes for update 2023.12.1, where we list all the official release notes along with undocumented changes.
Optional Gear Chimes for Model 3/Y
Gear chimes have been added as an optional feature for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Similar to the same noise users hear when activating and deactivating Autopilot, a chime will provide an audible alert when the car is put in drive, park and reverse. This update is expected to extend to Model S/X and is available worldwide.
Spotify Web-based Player and Phone Call Controls
According to @GreenTheOnly, Tesla's Spotify player has transitioned to be a web-based player, similar to Apple Music. It appears that Tesla will be transitioning all music services to leverage their web-based player, allowing quicker development.
In the new Model S/X and Model 3/Y, you'll now also be able to control phone calls from the steering wheel. The left scroll button can be used to answer or decline incoming calls, mute/unmute during a call, or hang up.
Speed Assist
Speed Assist now leverages the car's cameras to detect speed limit signs, improving the accuracy of speed limit data on local roads and highways in select countries. Detected speed limit signs will be displayed in the driving visualization. The vision-based speed assist feature now includes support for several additional countries, such as Australia, Sweden, Portugal, and Luxembourg.
Expanded Zoom Availability in Multiple Countries
Tesla has extended Zoom availability to more countries, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and others. If you have a Zoom meeting in your Calendar, tap the link to start or join your meeting automatically. Participant video and screen sharing are only visible while parked and will switch to audio-only if you drive. It is the driver's sole responsibility to consult and comply with all local regulations while using Zoom. To access Zoom, tap Application Launcher > Zoom.
Tesla Update 2023.12.1 in Action
Legacy S/X Writing Support in China
Writing support has been added to legacy Model S and Model X vehicles in China, expanding the functionality for these owners.
Text Size Customization
Perhaps one of the biggest changes is that you can now choose between Standard or Large text sizes for the touchscreen display in the Model 3 and Model Y. Navigate to Controls > Display > Text Size to adjust your preference. With these exciting new features and improvements, Tesla's 2023.12.1 software update enhances the overall driving experience for its users.
This comprehensive overview of Tesla's 2023.12.1 software update showcases the automaker's commitment to continuously improving its vehicles' features and driving experience for its users. With each update, Tesla further cements its position as a leader in the electric vehicle market.
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Elon Musk and SpaceX have set some ambitious dates for the first Mars landing. Musk envisions launching the Starship toward Mars by late 2026—less than two years away. There won’t be any humans on board in the initial launches. Instead, Optimus will fill in for humans. Musk stated that human landings could follow as early as 2029 to 2031.
There are certain windows that make flights to Mars feasible for humans. So SpaceX is aiming for humans to be a part of the second or third Earth/Mars launch windows from now, which are 5 to 7 years away.
Tesla continues advancing Optimus, and SpaceX remains relentless. Another Starship test launch is in the books, all while maintaining their steady weekly cadence of Dragon missions to space.
Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus.
Civilization On Earth
Musk goes on to state something interesting in another post on X. He says that the key will be whether “Earth’s civilizational technology level will last long enough to ensure Mars can grow by itself, even if supply ships from Earth stop coming.”
The statement suggests two possibilities—that Earth’s civilization collapses or fails to advance enough to solve unforeseen challenges of sustaining life on Mars.
The key concern is whether humanity will remain technologically and industrially capable long enough to ensure that Mars can eventually become self-sufficient. If Earth’s civilization weakens, either due to collapse, stagnation, or regression, Mars might not get the support it needs to reach full independence—leading to the colony’s failure.
Tossing Optimus on board Starship is a smart move, instead of having smaller, single-task robots. Optimus also has the advantage of being upgradeable on Mars as long as the hardware holds up. It could be a lot like what we saw with Tesla vehicles, where the hardware was present for many years before the vehicle was capable of driving on city streets. Optimus’ capabilities will also improve over time, even if the hardware is older.
But, how does Elon Musk envision Optimus’ role on Mars?
The answer might be simple. SpaceX can leverage a fleet of Optimus robots to assemble shelters and infrastructure before humans even arrive.
Optimus is already highly capable, with precise hands adept at manipulating tools and objects. On Mars, it could construct basic habitats, set up survival systems, and even handle ice processing, water recycling, and food production.
These facilities will be absolutely essential for the first humans to comfortably settle in and begin work on expanding, maintaining, and preparing for proper human settlement.
Beyond construction, Optimus has a major advantage—it doesn’t need oxygen. Instead, mission planners would only need to monitor battery levels, wear and tear, and any potential damage.
That said, even humanoid robots face risks. Martian dust has long been an obstacle in space exploration, clogging solar panels, damaging equipment, and causing malfunctions. Tesla will need to redesign Optimus to withstand the harsh conditions. Its joints and components will need to be sealed against Mars’ relentless environment.
Starship
Mechazilla catching Starship7 Rocket Booster for the first time ever! 🚀 Incredible Achievement by @spacex
Starship, the largest rocket ever built, is immensely capable—but still in its early testing phases. SpaceX has dedicated hundreds of hours between each flight test, refining and improving with every launch. With several Super Heavy booster catches now under their belt, the next challenge is proving Starship itself can land.
Once SpaceX can launch, complete a mission, and safely land both the booster and Starship, the dream of reaching Mars may no longer seem so far-fetched.
With that, Happy 23rd Anniversary, SpaceX! We’re with you all the way as you push humanity toward the stars.
Happy 23rd Anniversary to @SpaceX! Founded on March 14, 2002, and still pushing the limits of what’s possible, here’s to the next chapter of making life multi-planetary! pic.twitter.com/mzvrdEagAn
According to Chinese blog posts from earlier last week, now vetted by Reuters, Tesla intends to produce a cut-down version of the Model Y, initially for the Chinese market, sometime in 2026.
This follows the launch of Tesla’s cut-down Model 3 for Mexico, as well as news that Tesla intends to launch their new next-gen model sometime in the near future.
Cut Down, But How?
The new Model Y, internally referred to as Project E41, is designed to lower the entry price of Tesla’s popular SUV—one of the most compelling options on the market due to its size, range, and versatility, especially following the launch of the refreshed Model Y.
To achieve this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to reduce the Model Y’s total cost by nearly 20%, according to reports from China. While exact changes remain unknown, we can make informed guesses based on the cost-saving measures Tesla implemented in the scaled-down Model 3 for Mexico.
Textile Seats and Trim
One of the most noticeable changes in the cost-cut version of the Model 3 in Mexico was the removal of vegan leather throughout the interior. In its place, Tesla opted for a durable textile fabric for the seats, reducing material costs. Additionally, any Alcantara trim pieces were replaced with the same textile in various areas.
No Heated or Cooled Seats
Another major cost-cutting measure was the removal of heated and cooled seats, along with the heated steering wheel. While these feature reductions may seem minor, eliminating them reduces various things, such as electrical components, harnesses, and ductwork that are required for seat ventilation.
No Rear Screen
One of the more unexpected changes in the reduced-cost Model 3 was the removal of the rear screen, despite it being powered by the same front infotainment computer as the front display. Given that the screen functions primarily as an additional display rather than a standalone system, the cost to include it is extremely low. It’s one of those really smart additions Tesla has added that increases value for the consumer with minimal cost to Tesla.
Tesla is unlikely to redesign or modify the vehicle’s wiring harness for this change, meaning a rear screen could potentially be retrofitted later by the customer. Based on replacement part estimates, the screen likely costs Tesla between $5 and $20 per vehicle, which acts as a secondary monitor for the infotainment computer.
Ambient Lighting, Acoustic Glass, Speakers
The final set of changes also focuses on the interior. Tesla replaced the RGB-capable ambient lighting with a simpler white-only version—likely saving only a few dollars per vehicle. While this may seem like a minor and somewhat unexpected cut, it could serve as an upsell opportunity to the standard RWD variant.
Additionally, Tesla reduced the use of dual-pane acoustic glass, now limiting it to just the front windows and windshield. This change drastically cuts costs but also affects cabin noise levels. The dual-pane glass played a key role in making the refreshed Model Y noticeably quieter, so this downgrade will likely bring noise insulation closer to that of the original Model Y.
As for audio, Tesla scaled down the speaker system in the Mexican Model 3 from 17 speakers to just nine, while also removing the subwoofers and one of the audio amplifiers. While this cuts costs due to wiring and speakers, it also has a large impact on the audio quality in the vehicle.
Project E41 is Not the Next-Gen Model
It’s important to note that Project E41 is not the same as the upcoming, more affordable next-gen platform, which is internally referred to as Project Redwood. While Project E41 focuses on a reduced-cost version of the Model Y, Project Redwood is designed to test Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities, using their innovative unboxed assembly method to reduce both costs and production time. The goal is to create a vehicle that is smaller and more affordable, while also keeping it safe and capable of self-driving.
Tesla previously confirmed that they plan to unveil new models—distinct from cut-down versions of the Model 3 or Model Y—during their Q4 2024 Earnings Call. However, the executive team has been careful not to divulge too many details about the upcoming model during interviews. This suggests there may be a lot more that has yet to be unveiled.
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