Tesla's cameras around placed strategically around the vehicle
Tesla
In Tesla's mission to shape the future of sustainable transportation, a pivotal part is played by its camera systems. Designed to enhance safety, enable autonomous features, and provide security against threats, these cameras have evolved significantly over the years.
The Evolution of Tesla's Camera Systems: From MobileEye to Hardware 4
Tesla's journey with integrating cameras into their vehicles started post-2014. The early models with the Autopilot 1 (AP1) system used technology from MobileEye, a leader in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
However, with the arrival of the Model 3 and Model Y and the 2021 redesigned Model S and Model X, the game changed. All these models now feature nine cameras. Fast forward to 2023, some models are now equipped with Hardware 4.0 (HW4), which have eight higher resolution cameras, and reduce the front-facing cameras to two.
Front Cameras
Teslas have three front-facing cameras with HW3 and two with HW 4
Tesla
The front cameras are located at the top of the windshield. They consist of a camera with a typical lens, a wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens. The telephoto camera can see up to 250 meters ahead according to Tesla, ideal for high-speed Autopilot use, while the main lens covers 150 meters. In addition, the wide-angle lens gives a panoramic-like view for navigation at complex intersections and tight curves.
Rear View Camera
The rearview camera is positioned above the license plate. It provides a view of up to 50 meters behind the vehicle, assisting with parking, reverse driving and reverse automatic emergency braking.
Fender Cameras
Teslas contain a camera on each fender that points toward the rear of the vehicle at about a 45° angle. This allows the vehicle to see vehicles to its side and help monitor the vehicle's blind spots.
These cameras can also be viewed by the driver when using Tesla's blind spot monitor feature, or by enabling the side cameras while in reverse, which displays the reverse camera feed, along with the fender or 'repeater' cameras.
B-Pillar Cameras
Tesla vehicles also include two other side cameras that are found on the B-pillar. Instead of aiming backward like the repeater cameras, these cameras are aimed toward the front of the vehicle. This allows them to capture areas in the front half of the vehicle. These cameras aid with intersections, parking and more. Unfortunately, the video from these cameras can only be viewed while the vehicle is parked and by going to Controls > Service and tapping on 'Preview Cameras'.
Cabin Camera
All current Tesla models include a cabin camera. The camera is located above the rearview mirror and monitors driver attentiveness, especially when Autopilot is in use. You can view the cabin camera onscreen by navigating to Controls > Service > Preview Cabin Camera. You can also view it through the Tesla app if Sentry Mode is enabled and Sentry Mode Live Access is available in your region.
Future Bumper Camera
Looking ahead, newer Tesla models are expected to feature a bumper camera, as seen in the Cybertruck prototypes. Additionally, with hardware 4.0, the cameras have a higher resolution and an anti-glare coating for enhanced visibility.
Functionality Unveiled: The Multifaceted Uses of Tesla's Cameras
Tesla's cameras play a vital role in the advanced features the vehicles are known for. Their primary use is for the Autopilot system and active safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Furthermore, Sentry Mode and Dashcam features use cameras to record potential threats when parked and on the road. In newer models, the cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness to ensure safety during Autopilot use.
View, Access and Calibrate
Tesla now lets you preview all cameras included in your vehicle
Simon
While driving, you can access the rear and fender cameras through the center display. To test or preview other cameras, you can navigate to Controls > Service > Preview Cameras, and then select the camera you'd like to preview at the top of the screen. In addition, through the Tesla app, remote viewing capabilities are available for five of the vehicle's cameras, including the front-facing camera, fender cameras, rear camera, and cabin camera.
If you're noticing issues with your vehicle's cameras, Tesla provides the ability to calibrate them. It's a simple process initiated from the vehicle's touchscreen, although certain features like Autopilot will be unavailable until the process completes.
Confidentiality in Focus: Tesla's Data Privacy Measures
Tesla takes data privacy seriously. For example, the cabin camera doesn't save or transmit data unless data sharing is enabled in your car's settings. For Sentry Mode and Dashcam footage, data is stored locally and can be accessed only by the owner.
Tesla's advanced camera systems play an integral role in enhancing vehicle safety, providing driver-assist features, and creating a robust security layer. However, understanding the function and usage of these cameras is essential for maximizing the benefits. With Tesla continuously innovating, exciting enhancements, like bumper cameras and upgraded hardware, lie on the horizon, promising to take vehicular safety and autonomy to the next level.
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Back in 2021, while Giga Berlin was still undergoing construction, Elon Musk said that he wanted to fill the factory with graffiti artwork. Just months later, Tesla posted a submission link to find local artists for the project.
It remained relatively quiet for about two years until Musk resurfaced with a post congratulating the team on their progress—and revealing that the factory’s concrete would be entirely covered in art. By 2023, that vision was already taking shape. Tesla began by collaborating with local artists, who created much of the artwork seen in the 2023 image above.
The Giga Berlin West Side in 2023
Not a Tesla App
Graffiti at Scale
More of the awesome digital artwork
@tobilindh on X
As expected from Tesla, they didn’t just hire a group of artists to paint and scale the walls. True to their ethos of autonomy, robotics, and innovation, they sought a more futuristic approach. The local crews couldn’t work fast enough or cover enough ground, so Tesla did what it does best—push the boundaries of technology.
Covering an entire factory in art is a massive undertaking, especially when that factory spans 740 acres (1.2 sq mi / 3 km²). With such an immense canvas, Tesla needed a high-tech solution.
Enter a graffiti start-up that had developed a robotic muralist. Tesla partnered with the company, sourcing digital artwork from independent artists while also commissioning pieces from its in-house creative team. Armed with this collection, the robot meticulously printed the artwork directly onto the factory’s concrete, turning Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg into a futuristic masterpiece.
The Robot
Not a Tesla App
This ingenious little robot is equipped with a precision printhead and a sophisticated lifting mechanism. It moves using two kevlar cables that allow it to glide up, down, left, and right while a pair of propellers generates downforce to keep it steady against the wall.
The printhead itself is capable of painting approximately 10 million tiny dots per wall, adding up to a staggering 300 million dots just for the west-facing side of Giga Berlin. Each mural features five distinct colors, and the robot carries 12 cans of paint, ensuring it can keep working for extended periods without interruption.
Check out the video below to see the robot action, along with mesmerizing time-lapse footage of the printing process. It’s an exciting glimpse into how Tesla is blending technology and creativity at Giga Berlin—and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
With FSD V13.2.6 continuing to make its way to AI4 vehicles, Tesla has been on a streak with minor FSD improvements since the launch of FSD V13 just a little over two months ago.
FSD V13 brought a new slate of features, including Start FSD from Park, Reverse, and Park at Destination. It also introduced full-resolution video input using the AI4 cameras at 36hz and made use of the new Cortex supercomputer to get faster and more accurate decision-making.
So, what’s next with FSD V14? Tesla gave us a sneak peek at what’s next for FSD.
FSD V14
The standout feature of FSD V14 will be auto-regressive transformers. While that’s a complex term for those unfamiliar with AI or machine learning, we’ll break it down.
Auto-Regressive
An auto-regressive transformer processes sequential data in time, using that information to predict future elements based on previous ones. Imagine completing a sentence: You use the words already written to guess what comes next. This process isn't just about filling in the blank; it's about understanding the flow of the sentence and anticipating the speaker's intent.
FSD could analyze a sequence of camera images to identify pedestrians and predict their likely path based on their current movement and surrounding context. The system's auto-regressive nature allows it to learn from past sequences and improve its predictions over time, adapting to different driving scenarios.
Today, FSD reacts to what it sees, but soon it’ll be able to anticipate what will help, much like humans.
Transformers
The second part of that term is transformer, which is a component used to understand the relationships of elements inside a time sequence. It identifies which parts of the input are most crucial for making accurate predictions, allowing the system to prioritize information much like a human would. Think of it as weighing different pieces of evidence to arrive at a conclusion. For example, a transformer might recognize that a blinking turn signal is more important than the color of the car when predicting a lane change.
Putting It Together
Putting all that together, Tesla’s use of auto-regressive transformers means they’ll be working on how FSD can predict the plans and paths of the world around it. This will improve FSD’s already powerful perception and allow it to predict how other vehicles and vulnerable road users (VRUs) will behave.
What it all comes down to is that FSD will be able to make better decisions and plan its paths by making more informed, human-like decisions. That will be a big step towards improving V13 - which already has some very effective decision-making.
Larger Model and Context Size
Ashok Elluswamy (Tesla’s VP of AI) stated that FSD V14 will see larger model and context sizes in FSD V14, which coincidentally are listed in the upcoming improvements section of FSD V13.2.6. If we compare what Ashok said to what’s listed in the upcoming features section, the model and context sizes should grow by 3x.
Interestingly, Ashok says that AI4’s memory limits context size. Context is essentially the history of what the vehicle remembers, which is used for future decisions. Since this information is stored in memory, it’ll always be limited by memory, but it’s worth noting that Ashok mentioned that Tesla is restricted by the memory in the AI4 computer.
Leverage Audio Input
Tesla is already gathering audio data in existing FSD versions so that it can start training models with audio as well, truly making FSD more human-like. According to Ashok, FSD V14 will be the first version to take advantage of audio input for FSD driving. This will primarily be used for detecting emergency vehicles, but we can see this expanding to other sounds that help humans adjust their driving, such as car crashes, loud noises, honking, etc. At the very least, FSD could be more cautious when hearing a noise that matches an accident or vehicle honking.
FSD V14 Release Date
We haven’t heard from Elon Musk or Ashok Elluswamy about when FSD V14 will arrive. Ashok previously stated that FSD V13.4 would see audio inputs being used, but at Tesla’s earnings call, Tesla said that audio input would become relevant in V14, making it seem like Tesla may scrap V13.4 for V14.
Since Tesla is planning to launch their Robotaxi network in Texas this June, which is just four months away, FSD V14 may be the version used for its autonomous taxi fleet.
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