In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that vehicles with Hardware 3 will be receiving FSD V12.5 in about 10 days.
When FSD V12.5 was rolled out initially, it only rolled out to Model Y vehicles with AI4 (Hardware 4). However, just a few days later, FSD V12.5 started rolling out to most AI4-based vehicles.
Hardware 3
Hardware 3 owners have been left feeling behind on this, especially since the divergence between Hardware 3 and AI4 wasn’t supposed to start happening until later this year. Elon has mentioned that even though AI4 is still emulating Hardware 3, the additional compute capacity available on the newer hardware makes it easier to develop.
This pretty much means that Tesla is developing for Hardware 3 but is using the unconstrained compute power of AI4 to test and do initial rollouts. After optimization, it then rolls out to Hardware 3 vehicles. This is similar to how most software is often made – on far better PCs, and then scaled down and optimized to better fit the average computer.
But Tesla clearly isn’t abandoning their Hardware 3 and Tegra-based infotainment (MCU 1) customers just yet. Update 2024.26.3 brings FSD V12 to MCU1 vehicles for the first time. These vehicles are based on an older infotainment chipset from NVIDIA. That’s a great leap in optimization and compatibility and demonstrates Tesla and Elon’s commitment to bringing Unsupervised FSD to any vehicle produced after 2016.
V12.5 is Significant
FSD V12.5.1 has also shown some amazing improvements, with the capability to navigate parking lots and unpaved/unmarked roads being demonstrated by AIDRIVR on X below. That’s one of the key components that Tesla will need for its Robotaxi, as well as for Actually Smart Summon, Park Seek, and Banish Autopark. And Elon has said that there is more to come.
We haven’t heard about these features making it to FSD V12.5 just yet, but we do know that sunglasses-capable hands-free, end-to-end highway stack, more natural lane changes, and Cybertruck FSD are supposed to be coming soon. This laundry list of improvements is found in the Update 2024.20.15 Release Notes, all listed as Upcoming Improvements.
We’re excited to see FSD V12.5 coming to Hardware 3 vehicles – especially as the vast majority of Tesla’s current fleet is still on Hardware 3, not AI4. While Elon has said Tesla doesn’t envision an upgrade path between Hardware 3 and AI4 due to the complexity, there’s always a chance Tesla will develop new AI4-based hardware that meets the power consumption capabilities and space constraints of vehicles running HW3.
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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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