Tesla's Cybertruck is Capturing the Imagination of the Next Generation

Cybertruck is a showstopper

@MatthewDR/X

The arrival of the Tesla Cybertruck on our roads has been nothing short of a futuristic revelation. More than just a new vehicle, it's a symbol of innovation and a vision of the future, much like the one Elon Musk's child imagined when questioning, “Why doesn't the future look like the future." This profound insight from Saxon Musk became a seed that blossomed into the Cybertruck. This vehicle not only challenges traditional automotive design but also captures the imagination of youth in a remarkable way.

Capturing Young Hearts: The Cybertruck Phenomenon

Since its release just over a month ago, the Cybertruck has been turning heads and sparking excitement among all age groups, but the reaction from children is most telling. Social media is filled with videos of kids cheering and expressing their awe as a Cybertruck glides by. This excitement is more than just about seeing a new car; it's about witnessing a piece of the future right here in the present.

I've had a few thumbs down out the window, so I don't think it's zero. But certainly heavily weighted towards positive interactions of happiness, excitement, curiosity, and joy. And that's coming from people in trucks, sports cars, minivans, sedans, supercars, anything and… https://t.co/BoSLNNhXeV pic.twitter.com/r39XaAmh5Z

— Wes (@wmorrill3) January 5, 2024

The Cybertruck's design is a radical departure from conventional automotive aesthetics. Its angular, metallic body looks like something from a sci-fi movie. During the early days of the design stage, Elon Musk instructed his team, “Let’s be bold; let’s surprise people.” This design choice was about standing out and redefining what a vehicle can be. The Cybertruck doesn't conform to the status quo – it shatters it, creating a new paradigm where vehicles are not just modes of transport but bold statements about innovation and the future. It is so outside of the box, that a second Tesla pickup truck was secretly being designed at the same time as the Cybertruck.

Designing the Extraordinary: The Cybertruck's Unique Appeal

Elon Musk's vision for the Cybertruck aligns perfectly with his child's query. In creating a vehicle that looks and feels futuristic, Tesla has inspired a generation that has grown up surrounded by rapid technological advancements but often in a world that visually looks much the same as it did decades ago. The Cybertruck changes this narrative, presenting a tangible example of what the future can look like. One of these youngsters could be the next Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer, who drew inspiration from his favorite cars growing up.

Kids reaction to seeing a Cybertruck is priceless. This is what it’s all about!

When they grow up they’re all going to want Tesla’s. They’re the future. pic.twitter.com/zd7HA5cRU0

— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) January 5, 2024

Children are naturally drawn to the novel and extraordinary. Their cheers for the Cybertruck are not just about the excitement of seeing something new but about seeing a future they've imagined come to life. This enthusiasm is a testament to the Cybertruck's impact in a short amount of time. It's more than a vehicle; it's a source of inspiration and a catalyst for imagination.

Beyond Aesthetics: Eco-Friendly and Future-Ready

Moreover, the Cybertruck's appeal goes beyond its appearance. Its electric nature speaks to a growing awareness and concern among younger generations about environmental issues. Tesla's commitment to sustainable transportation resonates with these values, making the Cybertruck not just a cool vehicle but a responsible choice for the future of our planet.

Tesla Cybertruck is more than just a new addition to the roads. It manifests a future that was once only in the realms of imagination. Elon Musk, inspired by his child's perspective, has brought this vision to life, and the response from the youth is a clear indication that the Cybertruck is not just a vehicle but excitement, innovation, and the endless possibilities of the future. As videos of children cheering for the Cybertruck continue to circulate, it's evident that this vehicle has struck a chord with the next generation, inspiring them to dream of a world where the future truly looks like the future.

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Tesla LFP Batteries Can Now Be Warmed up While Supercharging Using Innovative Feature

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s been on a roll with Supercharger improvements lately, from the 325kW charging update for the Cybertruck, to 500kW with V4 Superchargers coming next year. While those improvements have been limited to the Cybertruck, Tesla didn’t put all their focus on their new flagship vehicle, but looked at their more affordable vehicles as well.

LFP Battery Heating

Tesla’s Superchargers can now heat LFP Batteries - those that are in the Model 3 and Model Y Rear Wheel Drive variants. This applies to Long Range and Standard Range models, which saw a limited run. This is another update included as part of the 2024 Tesla Holiday Update - which really arrived with a lot of unannounced new features and capabilities.

The change is pretty interesting - Superchargers of the V3 and V4 variety can now pre-heat batteries for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with LFP battery packs. That means those vehicles are able to get back on the road faster when it's extremely cold. Of course, Tesla still advises you to precondition before you arrive, saving drivers time and money.

Max de Zegher, Tesla’s Director of Charging, also commented on the new feature. Essentially, Tesla is inducing an AC (alternating) ripple current through the battery to warm it up. Keep in mind that Superchargers are DC charging. That means it is possible to get a cold-soaked LFP vehicle on the road 4x faster than before, assuming that it didn’t precondition at all and that it is in the worst-case scenario (below 0ºF).

In essence, Tesla is using some engineering magic to turn the circuits inside the LFP battery into an electric heater - and powering that heater through the Supercharger. An AC ripple current is a small oscillation in the DC charging current that generates heat through electrical resistance, warming up the battery. Those ripples are a byproduct of converting AC to DC and back - so Tesla is using the onboard charger to induce those ripples to warm up the battery. Definitely an innovative technique that’s really only possible with the versatility of the NACS connector.

We’re hoping Tesla can implement this across their full lineup of vehicles, but we’ll have to wait and see how it is trialed across LFP vehicles first and if it is even possible on vehicles with 2170 or 4680 battery packs.

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Tesla Included FSD V12.6.1 and V13.2.4 in the Same Update: What Caused This and What It Means

Not a Tesla App

Tesla launched two FSD updates simultaneously on Saturday night, and what’s most interesting is that they arrived on the same software version. We’ll dig into that a little later, but for now, there’s good news for everyone. For Hardware 3 owners, FSD V12.6.1 is launching to all vehicles, including the Model 3 and Model Y. For AI4 owners, FSD V13.2.4 is launching, starting with the Cybertruck.

FSD V13.2.4

A new V13 build is now rolling out to the Cybertruck and is expected to arrive for the rest of the AI4 fleet soon. However, this build seems to be focused on bug fixes. There are no changes to the release notes for the Cybertruck with this release, and it’s unlikely to feature any changes when it arrives on other vehicles.

While this update focuses on bug fixes, Tesla’s already working on bigger features for FSD V13.3, which we have already confirmed to include improvements to highway following and speed control.

FSD V12.6.1

FSD V12.6.1 builds upon V12.6, which is the latest FSD version for HW3 vehicles. While FSD V12.6 was only released for the redesigned Model S and Model X with HW3, FSD V12.6.1 is adding support for the Model 3 and Model Y.

While this is only a bug-fix release for users coming from FSD V12.6, it includes massive improvements for anyone coming from an older FSD version. Two of the biggest changes are the new end-to-end highway stack that now utilizes FSD V12 for highway driving and a redesigned controller that allows FSD to drive “V13” smooth.

It also adds speed profiles, earlier lane changes, and more. You can read our in-depth look at all the changes in FSD V12.6.

Same Update, Multiple FSD Builds

What’s interesting about this software version is that it “includes" two FSD updates, V12.6.1 for HW3 and V13.2.4 for HW4 vehicles. While this is interesting, it’s less special when you understand what’s happening under the hood.

The vehicle’s firmware and Autopilot firmware are actually completely separate. While a vehicle downloading a firmware update may look like a singular process, it’s actually performing several functions during this period. First, it downloads the vehicle’s firmware. Upon unpacking the update, it’s instructed which Autopilot/FSD firmware should be downloaded.

While the FSD firmware is separate, the vehicle can’t download any FSD update. The FSD version is hard-coded in the vehicle’s firmware that was just downloaded. This helps Tesla keep the infotainment and Autopilot firmware tightly coupled, leading to fewer issues.

What we’re seeing here is that HW3 vehicles are being told to download one FSD version, while HW4 vehicles are being told to download a different version.

While this is the first time Tesla has had two FSD versions tied to the same vehicle software version, the process hasn’t actually changed, and what we’re seeing won’t lead to faster FSD updates or the ability to download FSD separately. What we’re seeing is the direct result of the divergence of HW3 and HW4.

While HW3/4 remained basically on the same FSD version until recently, it is now necessary to deploy different versions for the two platforms. We expect this to be the norm going forward, where HW3 will be on a much different version of FSD than HW4. While each update may not include two different FSD versions going forward, we may see it occasionally, depending on which features Autopilot is dependent on.

Thanks to Greentheonly for helping us understand what happened with this release and for the insight into Tesla’s processes.

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