However, several changes weren’t mentioned in the release notes, which we’ve unpacked below.
Radio Favorites
Your Tesla automatically scans and displays your local radio stations. Your favorited stations are now pinned to the top of the Stations tab in the Radio app, instead of being a separate tab. This makes it easier to flip through stations, whether they’re favorites or not.
You can also tilt your left scroll wheel left and right to go to the next or previous radio station.
Messages App
The phone app no longer has tabs for messages and calendar
Not a Tesla App
The Messages app, which is used to view or reply to recently exchanged text messages is now only accessible through the Messages app icon in the All Apps menu.
The Messages app was previously accessible through a tab on the Phone app.
Calendar App
The calendar app receives some subtle design changes
Not a Tesla App
Similar to the changes in the Messages app, the Calendar is no longer accessible through the Phone app and now needs to be brought up by either tapping the app icon or touching the time at the top of the display.
The Calendar app has also received some minor design changes.
All Apps Menu
You can now access your wipers and defrost options in the All Apps menu while driving
Not a Tesla App
The All Apps menu, which is accessible in the app icons along the bottom of the screen, now displays app icons centered on the screen, instead of being left-aligned.
Certain functions such as wipers, heated steering wheel and defrost icons are now also available while in drive.
Service Mode Improvements
Service Mode has added several changes as well, which are aimed as troubleshooting issues in your vehicle
Not a Tesla App
Service Mode has been updated with various new panels and improvements.
The new panels include a new software section that lets you verify the software version installed and diagnose issues related to the infotainment center, Autopilot, and maps. There is a new section for 'High Voltage Interlock Loop,' as well as a new option in the Air Suspension panel that lets you inflate the air suspension reservoir.
Other changes include Chinese language support and a new feedback section for Service Mode Plus users.
Service Mode should only be accessed by technicians and owners who are familiar with it and aware of the risks involved. The vehicle should not be driven with Service Mode engaged, as various safety features are turned off.
This appears to be it as far as changes in update 2023.44, however, the holiday update is almost upon us and it is sure to be packed with features, as well as probably a few undocumented changes as well.
Last week, Tesla said that the holiday update would roll out this week, however, we wonder if the NHTSA-required changes will affect its release.
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With Tesla software update 2024.32.6, users on X have begun reporting a big difference in how Tesla’s Autopilot detects attention. While Tesla’s latest FSD versions in North America support vision-based attention monitoring when the cabin is well lit, the feature has yet to be officially released outside of the region or apply to Autopilot.
On FSD updates in North America, Tesla now only uses steering wheel torque on vehicles that don’t include a cabin camera or when the camera can’t see the driver properly.
Vision-Based Attention Monitoring
VBAM, or Vision-Based Attention Monitoring, was introduced to Full Self-Driving in FSD update V12.4 and subsequently rolled out wide to North American users on update V12.5.4.
However, it now seems that Europeans with update 2024.32.6 may be experiencing some form of vision-based monitoring as well. While the green dot of VBAM isn’t shown next to the Autopilot icon, users are noticing that they no longer need to apply resistance to the wheel while using Navigate on Autopilot.
Meanwhile, for regular Autopilot, nudges are still required – but users are reporting that simply having your hands on the steering wheel is now enough, and you no longer need to apply pressure to the wheel. It looks like Tesla may be using the cabin camera to monitor whether the user’s hands are on the steering wheel instead of detecting torque on the wheel.
In addition, while using Navigate on Autopilot, the driver no longer needs to apply torque to the wheel in order to accept a lane change. This has been one of the largest regulatory obstacles for Tesla to tackle and is partially what prevented FSD from rolling out in Europe in the first place.
In the EU, any autonomous vehicle actions, including changing lanes, had to be approved by the driver. This means the driver would need to nudge the steering wheel to accept lane changes or have the vehicle take an exit while on Navigate on Autopilot. This EU requirement was recently lifted, and this change to Navigate on Autopilot is a distinct sign that FSD could be around the corner for Europe.
We’re excited to see if Tesla hits its original timeline of Q1 2025 for FSD's release outside of North America. With these changes to VBAM and regulatory changes in the European Union, the goal finally appears to be in sight.
Video
A Tesla owner has recently posted a video that shows the new behavior in Europe.
Tesla’s Robotaxi event—We, Robot—is right around the corner. It takes place this Thursday, October 10th. Invites for the event were recently sent out in batches to those who won the shareholder raffle, and those who RSVP will receive their tickets 2-3 days before the event.
And it’ll be happening in none other than Hollywood, Los Angeles. The event will take place at the Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. Studios, a massive 110-acre location that includes large sets prepared for all sorts of movies and TV shows.
So, let’s take a minute to take stock of what we know about the event, and what we can expect.
What We Know
We know the event is taking place in and around Discovery Inc. Studios, as Tesla has been intensively gathering FSD data in the area around the studio before the event. In addition to that, some camouflaged Robotaxi prototypes have been seen driving around the actual Studio grounds.
What’s interesting is that Tesla has been intensively gathering data throughout San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area – including certain destinations like the Tesla Diner in Hollywood. We saw Robotaxi Mules – vehicles equipped with cameras in places we expect the Robotaxi to have them – running the routes in these areas, gathering data ahead of time to train the FSD model.
With all that, we have some of our own expectations for the event.
Not a Tesla App
What We Expect
There’s a lot of speculation about the Robotaxi, and lots of hints that Tesla has dropped over time. We expect Tesla to deliver a small, two-door sedan with two seats. The car is expected to have four wheels, although there was some speculation of three wheels at one point. It’ll likely include a good amount of trunk space for luggage as well. Based on camouflaged vehicles, sneak peeks Tesla has shared, and the Robotaxi mules, we expect the vehicle to be quite a bit smaller, although the body styling appears to be similar to a Model 3.
Tesla’s focus will likely be on autonomy and cheap production, so don’t expect large screens, rotating seats, tables, etc, in the vehicle. It’ll likely include a single screen in the middle like the Model 3. The UI for the vehicle will likely be very similar to production vehicles today but simplified since you won’t be able to control some aspects. There may also be new modules that will display important customer information front and center, such as their ETA and fare price.
We’re not sure how much Tesla will talk about FSD hardware at the event, as they won’t want customers to feel like they’re being left out, but we expect the Robotaxi to include Tesla’s upcoming Hardware 5 FSD suite or a completely different hardware that focuses on redundancy and safeguards that will be crucial to operate an autonomous fleet.
A concept of what the UI in the Robotaxi may look like
@dkrasniy
One of the key things we expect at the event is the opportunity for attendees to experience Robotaxi, along with the entire Tesla experience from start to finish. The event will probably start with a keynote address from Elon Musk and Ashok Elluswamy – the directors of the upcoming show.
It will likely progress to a virtual demonstration of Robotaxi – including how Tesla’s upcoming Robotaxi summoning will work via the Robotaxi app, and then a quick showing of some other information at the keynote. We’ll also find out whether or not Tesla will initially launch their Robotaxi network with Tesla-owned Robotaxis, customer-owned Robotaxis, or customer-supervised vehicles.
Hopefully, Tesla also showcases a few more things – including that wireless EV charging, and potentially some other things that have been behind the curtain.
The final and most exciting portion of the event will be when users get the opportunity to be hands-on with the Robotaxi. Hopefully, they’ll get access to the interface from their Tesla app and be able to summon a Robotaxi and have it take them somewhere on the studio grounds. This time will also serve as a chance for people to get up close and personal with Robotaxi, poke around and see any unique features of the vehicle. We still have a lot to learn about the vehicle.
Of course, these are just our expectations of the event. For all we know, it could turn out to be the same, but in reverse.
For those who have been lucky enough to receive a ticket, please let us know if you have a +1. We’d love to be able to cover the event in person and experience Robotaxi ourselves.
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