Even after the camera improvements in Beta 11.4.7, HW4 cameras are still a leap ahead in clarity
DirtyTesla
Seeing is believing and more and more videos and images are popping up showing the difference between Tesla's Hardware 3 (HW3) and the latest Hardware 4 (HW4) cameras. The visuals highlight a radical transformation in video quality that paints an exciting future picture.
Improvements to HW3 Cameras
Tesla vehicles with the latest FSD Beta, version 11.4.7 include a notable visual improvement to the vehicle's camera feeds. With this update, Tesla introduced white-balance and color-balance corrections to the vehicle's camera feeds, making them look more realistic and accurate of the real world. But the biggest difference is actually the improvement in camera clarity. The visuals are noticeably sharper.
Our previous article and the included video demostrates the visual differences on HW3 cameras before and after applying FSD Beta 11.4.7. While these improvements are in a branch that is only available to FSD Beta testers (2023.7.30), it's likely that these video improvements will be applied to all vehicles in a future update.
Difference Between the Updated HW3 Camera Feeds to HW4 Camera Feeds
One of the best videos to date that compares HW4 to the new and improved HW3 cameras with Beta 11.4.7 was filmed by DirtyTesla, who did a nice job comparing the various cameras at the same location and in the same lighting. His findings and video are below:
Here is what stands out:
A Leap in Resolution: The images demonstrated the stark difference between the 1.2-megapixel HW3 cameras and the newly introduced 5-megapixel HW4 cameras. This substantial upgrade in resolution has translated to a noticeable increase in clarity, allowing for the easy reading of license plates and road signs that were previously indecipherable with HW3.
Even after the camera improvements in Beta 11.4.7, HW4 cameras are still a leap ahead in clarity
DirtyTesla
The Fish-eye Effect: Another captivating revelation from the images was the pronounced fish-eye effect in the rear camera of HW4. The images depicted a substantially wider field of view compared to the previous version, enhancing peripheral vision for a safer driving experience.
Night-time Brilliance and Vibrant Colors: The comparison was confined to resolution and field of view and highlighted the improved night-time footage quality, exposure control, and more accurate color representation. This promises a more realistic and vibrant visual experience for Tesla owners.
What Does It Mean for Full Self-Driving?
While the images are impressive, the next set is how the camera technology will translate into improved Full Self-Driving capabilities. Elon Musk has hinted that HW4-equipped cars could be 3 to 5 times more adept at autonomous driving. We know that HW4 has more ports for additional cameras as well.
Retrofitting Possibility: A Disappointment
Now to remind you about the disappointing news for existing Tesla owners. These amazing images, courtesy of the new cameras might lead to inquiries about retrofitting possibilities. Unfortunately, the idea of retrofitting has been shut down for some time, in fact, Tesla has been trying to entice current Tesla owners into new Teslas by offering a limited-time transfer of FSD.
The comparison images between HW3 and HW4 cameras are more than just a technical showcase. It's visual evidence of how fast technology is changing and how Tesla continuously updates the hardware in their vehicles.
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Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.
Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.
Giga Small Haus
The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.
The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App
The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.
Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage.
With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.
Key Features
Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.
Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.
Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.
Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
How Powerwall Works
Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.
Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.
Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.
Benefits
Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.
Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.
Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.
Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.
Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.
This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.
Acceleration Boost
This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.
The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.
Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.
Should You Buy It?
If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling.
You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.
Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.
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