In the Software tab of the vehicle’s settings, there’s an option for the owner to choose their software update preference. You can pick between Standard and Advanced, which is suppose to determine your preference for receiving updates. Tesla describes the feature as:
“[Car name] will regularly receive over-the-air software updates that add new features and enhance existing functionality. Select ADVANCED if you’d like [car name] to receive new software updates as soon as they become available for its configuration.
Note: The latest software version will vary based on vehicle configurations including hardware and geography.”
Essentially, you’re supposed to pick whether you want to receive updates more often and get features earlier, or would you prefer to receive new features later and receive a more stable build of the software.
This button has long been thought to be useless nowadays with many thinking it was just left over from public Early Access programs Tesla had back in 2018.
However, in a recent post Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla is still using this option to determine when to send some updates.
In a post on X, Musk said that Tesla is still seeing some issues with FSD v12.5, but that Tesla will push the update out to those who have selected ‘Advanced’ releases. We’re not sure if Tesla has always been using this preference or just recently started again, but if you’d like to receive the latest updates sooner, then it’s a good idea to have it set to advanced.
Still some issues with this release, but you can see the magic already.
We’re pushing it out only to those who have requested advanced releases (setting on screen that is defaulted off).
For regular users, ~V12.5.3 is probably suitable for wide release.
The Software Update Preference option is located under Controls > Software, and then there is an Advanced or Standard option, with Standard being the default. It appears that Tesla has the ability to send out updates to users not only based on configuration, region and model, but also based on their software update preference. If you have Advanced enable, you may receive updates sooner and receive more frequent bug fix updates.
We’re glad to see that this option is still in use – but it’d be nice if Tesla provided a a little more clarity around their release process.
Many Uber drivers use Teslas – in fact, Uber and Tesla have a joint sales program that helps Uber drivers either get Tesla rentals, or purchase/lease their own Tesla using Uber’s EV Assistance Package.
Uber has now upped their game further by integrating two features directly into Tesla – Automatic Trip Navigation and Battery-Aware Matching.
Automatic Trip Navigation
Automatic Trip Navigation connects the Uber app with Tesla. This means that when an Uber driver accepts a trip, the pick-up destination will be automatically sent to the Tesla. Once you arrive and the passenger(s) enter, their destination is automatically set in your vehicle’s navigation so that you can begin your trip. This makes the process seamless and could even save a few minutes off each trip.
Battery-Aware Matching
Another perk that comes with connecting your Tesla and Uber accounts is Battery-Aware Trip Matching. This means that you’ll only see trips, including travel distance to the pickup area, as well as the trip itself – that are within your currently estimated battery range.
For Uber drivers, this is a fantastic feature that helps filter our trips you’re not able to complete without charging. Uber drivers will have an easier time planning trips, as well as planning for their next charge – whether that’s at home, or at a Supercharger.
Setup
Setup for both Navigation and Battery-Aware Matching is simple. In the eligible vehicles pane in the Uber App, you can hit the connect button next to your Tesla. You’ll then sign into your Tesla account and grant access to Uber. Uber uses the official Tesla API for third parties to determine the range left on your vehicle and to send destinations to your navigation system.
For iOS and Android, you’ll want to grant the necessary permissions by selecting the boxes next to Vehicle Information and Vehicle Commands and hit allow. On Android, you will also have to go to Menu > Account > Navigation and enable Tesla Navigation as the primary navigation.
These two new features make Tesla Uber driving an even more compelling pitch, as many Uber drivers already save quite a bit of money from driving a low-maintenance EV, alongside the reduced cost of electricity compared to gas.
Tesla Investor Relations has officially confirmed that they will conduct the Robotaxi unveiling event on October 10th in Los Angeles. Event sign-up will be done using a random drawing for Tesla shareholders. The final date for entries is a week from today, on September 17th at midnight, and the selected shareholders will be announced the week of September 23rd.
Sign Up
You’ll need to own Tesla stock ($TSLA) to participate and will be required to verify your shareholder status on the Investor Relations site. The random drawing provides a better opportunity for those who hold lots of Tesla shares, as they’ll have a higher number of entries. You get one entry per confirmed share held.
At the moment, there are no details on the timing of the event, nor anything about +1 attendees. However, one item of note is that event draw winners cannot transfer their tickets to another party – which means if you get a ticket, it's for you and nobody else.
If you’re located in the United States, you can use ‘Say’ – Tesla’s Investor Relations partner – to automatically verify your shareholder status. For those outside of the United States, unless you’re trading with an American bank, you will need to provide an updated statement showing shareholder status for September 2024. Say takes about 3-5 business days to verify statements, so be sure to sign up early.
Robotaxi Event
The Robotaxi event will take place at the Warner Bros. Discovery Studios in LA, and Tesla has been pre-emptively gathering FSD data around the neighborhood. This likely means that the event will include a demonstration of Robotaxi’s capabilities and a reveal of the Robotaxi itself. We’re hoping that attendees will have the opportunity to sit in and experience Robotaxi delivering them from Point A to Point B inside of the Discovery Studios set pieces.
It’s expected to be one of Tesla’s most interesting and notable events, as this is the first reveal of the much-talked-about Robotaxi, which has been Tesla’s goal for its Full Self-Driving software since Elon Musk’s Masterplan I.
