If you’ve ever taken someone for a spin in your Tesla with FSD engaged, you know that expression of bewilderment on your passenger’s face when the wheel magically moves on its own. In fact, Kimbal Musk recently gave a passenger their first FSD experience, and the ride was posted on YouTube. The company is aggressively taping into that exciting moment to show its Full Self-Driving capabilities to a larger audience.
The latest version of FSD, Version 12.3.1, has been getting rave reviews—so much so that Tesla is going all in. The company is offering a free month of FSD to every new Tesla owner and instructing staff to install, activate, and take customers on a short test ride during vehicle delivery. However, later this week, Tesla will also offer all eligible current Tesla owners a free month of FSD.
One-Month FSD Trial: A Glimpse into the Future
Elon Musk originally committed to a free month of FSD 10 months ago, but it came with a caveat. The CEO posted: Once FSD is super smooth (not just safe), we will roll out a free month trial for all cars in North America. Then extend to the rest of the world after we ensure it works well on local roads and regulators approve it in that country.
Clearly, the boss is happy with FSD version 12.3.1, as Musk announced that all eligible vehicles in the U.S. will receive a one-month free trial of FSD this week.
This trial enables drivers to experience the convenience and advanced technology of FSD, including navigating city streets and highways with minimal driver intervention. It may even include the new Autopark feature. The thought is that they will be hooked once Tesla owners experience the incredible program.
In addition to the free trial, Tesla has initiated a new step in its delivery process, requiring Tesla employees to conduct FSD demonstrations for new customers. This directive, outlined in a 2 a.m. communication from Musk to employees, mandates that all Tesla vehicles in North America equipped with FSD version 12.3.1 provide customers with a demonstration drive before final delivery. This hands-on experience aims to showcase the capabilities and benefits of FSD, ensuring customers are fully informed about the product they're receiving.
Elon Musk sent out this email to Tesla $TSLA staff saying it's now required in North America to:
"Install and activate FSD V12.3.1 and take customers on a short test ride before handing over the car" pic.twitter.com/XWRgyZMJ1O
The emphasis on FSD version 12.3.1 demonstrations is not arbitrary. This specific version represents a significant advancement in Tesla's autonomous driving technology, promising a more intuitive and smoother driving experience. By replacing hundreds of thousands of lines of code with an end-to-end neural network, Tesla has made strides in making FSD's behavior more human-like, addressing previous concerns about the software's responsiveness.
Tesla's initiative to provide free trials and demonstrations of its FSD capability is a strategic move to familiarize a broader audience with autonomous driving technology. By allowing customers to experience FSD firsthand, Tesla is enhancing the appeal of its vehicles and paving the way for greater acceptance and enthusiasm for self-driving technology among the public.
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Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Not a Tesla App
Tesla update 2024.38 has started rolling out to several regions and vehicles. Thanks to Tesla hacker Greentheonly, we have a behind-the-scenes look at some new features coming to Teslas.
License Plate Display
According to Greentheonly, it looks like Tesla may soon let you display your actual license plate in the vehicle’s visualization on the screen. In our article, The Most Request Tesla Features, several readers suggested displaying the vehicle’s license plate in the visualization instead of a blank, white plate.
It looks like Tesla will be doing just that, at least in China. Green found references that appear to conclude that you’ll be able to display your vehicle’s plate on screen. This will likely be user input, so you could have it say anything you’d like, and it doesn’t have to be your actual license plate.
For many owners, who may find it difficult to remember their license plate, this could serve a practical purpose in addition to adding to the visualization's realism.
While Green was only able to say it’ll be available in China, we expect this is due to China’s software development team working on it and that it’ll eventually be released worldwide.
While code for this feature was found in update 2024.38, we may not be turned on in China yet. We suspect this feature may be a strong candidate for Tesla’s upcoming holiday update.
FSD Hardware Version Display
As part of the 2024.38 update, Tesla has now made it easy to determine whether your vehicle includes Hardware 3 or Hardware 4. You can now simply navigate to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information. In addition to other hardware information about your vehicle, your Autopilot hardware version will now be listed as well.
You can see whether your vehicle has HW2.5, HW3, or AI4. This in-car display is useful, but if you don’t have access to the vehicle, you can always use our guide on how to determine the hardware version of a Tesla.
New Battery Health Test & Service Mode Improvements
Green found some additional things as well. There’s a new and improved Battery Health Test. The new test will show you how your car scores compared to similar vehicles in the Tesla fleet.
In addition, maintenance records can now be permanently stored “in the car.” It doesn’t appear that this feature is activated yet, but it’s likely in active development with some parts leaking out in the 2024.38 update.
Tesla has included various Service Mode improvements and new visualizations in this update.
Mr Li on X came across some covered-up Project Juniper vehicles recently and he managed to get various shots of the vehicle.
Juniper Images
This front image reveals what looks like two rows of lights, possibly confirming the front light bar for the Model Y refresh — similar to the one on the Cybercab.
The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
Mr Li on X
The rear side shows a ton of brake lights, but it’s not clear why. While it looks like the Model Y refresh will also feature a rear light bar similar to the Cybertruck, there isn’t strong evidence of that in this photo.
Mr Li on X
There's an obvious set of lights at the bottom, so it looks like the Model Y refresh will be similar to the new Model 3 where the bottom lights can operate as brake lights when the one-piece tail lights and trunk are up.
Mr Li on X
In the last photo, we see that the overall form factor of the refreshed Model Y will remain unchanged, and Tesla is focusing the changes on the front and rear ends of the vehicle, much like the Model 3 refresh. However, in this one shot, we can also see what appears to be red light leaking out of the rear camera cover opening, possibly due to the rear light bar.
The Model Y is not only Tesla’s best-selling vehicle but also the world’s best-selling car in 2023. This year, it’s expected to be the best-selling vehicle in the United States and again in the world, so this refresh will be huge for Tesla.
@DominicBRNKMN made another fantastic set of concepts based on these new images. Given he had the most accurate Model 3 Highland concept before the official launch, we’re pretty sure his latest work be close here as well.
@DominicBRNKMN
We’re super excited to see the eventual reveal of Project Juniper, which is expected in the first half of 2025. However, expect to see a few more leaks before production kicks off at Giga Shanghai.
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