A Tesla with manufacturer plates and a unique camera system – one that we’ve seen at least once previously, was spotted in Northern California recently (Thanks, Joey!).
Tesla internally calls these vehicles with these odd camera locations “mules” and uses them to test future vehicle camera locations. Previously, Model 3 mules were spotted with the cameras in a slightly altered arrangement before the launch of the Model 3 refresh – primarily to prepare the vehicles for Full Self-Driving and Autopilot functionality.
These vehicles gather visual data that’s used to feed Tesla’s supercomputers and prepare its AI models to be able to drive a vehicle with different camera locations. This specific mule is likely to be set up for Robotaxi.
The B-pillar cameras on the Model 3 mule
@KlenderJoey/X
Unique Camera Locations
Of note with this specific Model 3 mule is the very different camera locations. There is a heightened rear bumper camera, and the B-Pillar (located between the front and rear doors) camera is offset with an angle not previously seen on Tesla vehicles. The side repeater camera is pushed out and away from the body of the vehicle as well.
The mule also doesn’t have any side mirrors, but most interesting is a low-to-the-ground front bumper camera, similar to the front camera for the Cybertruck and the one recently spotted on the upcoming refresh Model Y. This means that there is a good chance that Robotaxi – and future hardware iterations, could be bringing a front bumper camera to all vehicles.
It appears that the front camera cluster (now reduced to two cameras with HW4) will remain the same or be very similar to today based on these new images.
Note the B-Pillar, Side Repeater, and Rear Cameras here. Also, no side mirrors!
Not a Tesla App
The Bumper Camera
The new bumper camera will be extremely useful – and is a feature we’ve previously heard could be coming to the Model S and Model X as well. Beyond providing additional information, especially in tight quarters, this could also help with Tesla Vision Park Assist and navigating in densely populated locations, like a parking garage or parking lot.
We hope to see the front camera come to more vehicles as time goes on, but we’ll have to wait and see how the rollout of Hardware 5/AI 5 goes for that.
In Tesla’s upcoming update, 2024.32.3, Tesla has added hands-free support for opening the vehicle’s frunk. This follows the Spring Update (2024.14), which added Hands-Free Trunk support for certain vehicles.
When hands-free trunk support was added earlier this year, it was supported on vehicles that include an ultra wideband chip, which includes the refresh Model S, new Model X, and the 2024 Model 3. Due to the hardware requirement, these will be the same vehicles that support the new Hands-Free Frunk feature. Legacy vehicles without UWB will unfortunately not support either feature due to the hardware requirement. UWB enables far more accurate tracking of the phone key, allowing Tesla to pinpoint its exact location relative to the vehicle.
The Cybertruck interestingly also includes an ultra wideband chip, however, it didn’t include the automatic opening of the gate earlier this year. However, we expect the Cybertruck to also receive the hands-free frunk opening in this 2024.32.3 update or relatively soon afterward.
Update: The Cybertruck is receiving hands-free frunk support in the 2024.32 update as well.
Hands-Free Frunk
The Hands-Free Frunk works similarly to the trunk feature – with an iPhone 11+ and a recent version of the app, you’ll be able to stand in front of your vehicle, and the Frunk will unlatch after sounding a chime. On some vehicles, the frunk will immediately open after being unlatched, however, you’ll need to manually close it.
This new feature isn’t enabled by default – you’ll need to go to Settings > Locks > Hands-Free Frunk to enable it.
At this time, Tesla doesn’t support UWB on Android devices, though both the Hands-Free Trunk and Hands-Free Frunk support will come to Android users in a future app update, according to Tesla.
Exclude Home
With the addition of the hands-free frunk opening, Tesla has also added a new option. You can now choose to disable the automatic opening when your vehicle is located at home to prevent you from accidentally opening. This will apply to the automatic frunk and trunk. In addition, in the Model X, you’ll also be able to disable the self-presenting doors at home. This is a great addition as many people have kept the hands-free feature disabled due to it awkwardly opening in the garage.
In the 2024.32.3 update, Tesla also mentions that they’ve improved the detection of the phone key, which should make the feature more reliable and faster when approaching the vehicle from the front or rear.
Following its recent launch in the United States and Canada, Tesla has launched their referral program in several European countries as well.
The program is available in Germany, Norway, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and possibly others. The program is almost the same as the one available today in North America, with rewards for each referral and a discount for those referred. The cap in Europe is also ten per year.
This program comes right on the heels of a 0% financing offer for the Model Y in Sweden and France. While referrals aren't currently available in Sweden, the 0% financing still is.
European Referrals
The European Referral program accounts for country and local currency, where applicable.
Country
Referral Discount
Referral Award
UK
£1,000
£500
Germany, France, Netherlands
€1,000
€500
Norway
kr11,500
kr5,750
The referral reward program is comparable to the one available in North America. After exchange rates, there is only an approximately 10% difference between the available rewards in the US and EU.
Other Countries
We expect this program to start rolling out to other European countries over the next few days or weeks, as Tesla continues to expand its referral program.
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