Tesla provides a robust set of fleet-manager and user-level APIs for its vehicles, each with distinctly useful features. If you’ve ever wondered what other unique things your Tesla is capable of, here is some additional insight.
One of the coolest things we’ve seen are some updated APIs that expose additional data that could provide hints for Tesla’s 8/8 Robotaxi announcement. Read on to find out!
Vehicle Data
Tesla recently added a new property in the API that leverages the cabin camera to find out if there’s anyone inside the car. It doesn’t identify who or where they’re seated or give Tesla access to the camera, but it does let you know whether there’s anyone inside the camera.
The data in the API is usually to be leveraged by the Tesla app, but the detection Tesla is doing here could be used for things like automatically enabling cabin overheat protection if someone was left inside the car.
"is_user_present": true,
Guest Mode
Tesla has outlined a new Guest Mode in their API, potentially pointing to a Robotaxi tie-in. According to Tesla’s API documentation, Guest Mode restricts user functionality in the vehicle. Similar to Tesla’s Valet Mode, Guest Mode requires PIN to Drive or to open the Glovebox. It also limits the vehicle’s speed, prevents the addition or removal of keys and more. This is quite similar to the functionality that’s used by Hertz for its fleet-level management, but there have been some additional updates to this entire API. This Guest Mode endpoint is only accessible on vehicles on update 2024.14 – The Spring Update.
Rider Quality Score
Whole Mars Catalog recently shared a screenshot of a new API property called “Rider Quality Score” on X. The property appears to give the user a score, presumably from 0 to 5 (or 10) based on some characteristics, although Tesla may be simply testing the feature and the values don’t provide any real guidance yet.
“rider_quality_score”: 5
A quality score could be assigned to riders for ride-hailing and could be a part of Tesla’s upcoming August 8th Robotaxi announcement. This one was buried under the User API, which also provides a user’s name, email, and profile photo. You may be able to configure your future Robotaxi or current Tesla to only accept riders with a certain quality level – thereby enabling you to keep your car clean and fit for duty and reducing risks.
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It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).
FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.
In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.
FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.
Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.
Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.
When Will it Be Available?
Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.
Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.
Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.
The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.
This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.
But the price is now a princely $6.90, as foretold in the prophecy 😂
Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.
So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.
That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).
Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.
A “Maturing” Service
The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.
While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.
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