Tesla FSD Hardware 4.0 Revealed: More Cameras, New Placements

Tesla's FSD hardware 4.0 is uncovered

@GreenTheOnly/Twitter

News and rumors have been heating up about Tesla's upcoming FSD hardware 4.0. Now, thanks to @GreenTheOnly, we have our first look at Tesla's latest FSD hardware, version 4.0.

The new hardware will not only include a faster computer and higher resolution cameras but it will include HD radar, additional cameras and new camera placements.

Cameras

It's been rumored for a while now that Tesla will use upgraded camera sensors with increased resolution. We reported last year that these new cameras are also expected to have LED flicker mitigration that will aid in reading digital signs. 

Tesla's current cameras produce 1.2 megapixels, and while we don't know for a fact what the updated resolution will be, numerous rumors have pointed at them having 5 megapixel sensors.

One of our sources says that while the increased resolution will be useful in certain scenarios, it won't be 'critical' because the higher resolution also comes with some downsides, such as more noise and will require additional processing power.

However, we expect that it will be useful in certain scenarios and Tesla may even be selective about when the increased resolution is used. The new cameras will also provide a better picture and will benefit non-FSD features such as Sentry Mode.

However, the increased resolution of the new cameras is only a small part of the upcoming camera changes.

Camera Placement

Tesla's hardware 4.0 features 12 camera connectors

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Tesla's hardware 4.0 has 12 camera connectors on board, with one being labeled spare. All current Teslas feature nine cameras in total. Three of them are forward-facing cameras and located underneath the windshield, two are on the fenders, two on the B-pillars, one in the rear and one for the cabin camera.

A leak last month revealed that Tesla plans to reduce the number of front-facing cameras to two, down from three. This is likely due to the higher-resolution cameras, making the third telephoto lens unnecessary.

That means there may be up to three additional cameras in hardware 4.0, or possibly four if you count the spare. According to Green, these three cameras appear to be destined for the vehicle's front bumper, although it's not clear in which direction they'll be aimed.

There have been various documented issues where Tesla has a blindspot when the vehicle is coming out of a secondary road that is obstructed by buildings or other objects. Having a camera that could look to the sides near the front of the vehicle would solve these situations, by giving it better than human vision since they'd be placed near the front of the vehicle.

FSD struggles with obstructed views like these

Cyber Owners/YouTube

According to the camera port names, it appears that Tesla may also be repositioning some of its cameras. The B-pillar cameras, which look forward, may be moved onto the vehicle's fenders to presumably help provide a better view as well.

Another leak last month revealed that Tesla is added a heater element to cameras in the B-pillar of the vehicle, which will help with fog build-up underneath the glass. 

Processing Power

Hardware 4.0 was previously rumored to be about 2-4x faster than hardware 3.0. Some of this power will undoubtedly go toward processing the new camera feeds and additional pixels the new cameras are providing. However, the additional power is crucial given that hardware 3.0 is nearing its processing limit.

Green provided the specs from the new hardware's chips, revealing it contains 20 cores, up from 12, and it maxes out at 2.35 GHz. Green also talked about the number of TRIP cores increasing from two to three and maxing out at 2.2 GHz.

While the number of cores and its frequency don't reveal how powerful this new hardware may be, Green says that the new hardware has 'a lot less improvement than many hoped for.'

It's not clear how much faster hardware 4.0 will be compared to hardware 3, but it sounds like the improvement may be toward the lower limit of the 2-4x speed bump we were expecting.

The hardware specs provided are per node, with the board having two nodes, which are expected to be used for redundancy.

Redundancy

Tesla's FSD hardware 4.0 is uncovered

@GreenTheOnly/Twitter

When Tesla introduced hardware 3.0, they also built it for redundancy in case of emergencies. Each board was built with two identical nodes. Both nodes could compute the same data and compare the outputs, letting the vehicle know if there was an issue. If one node failed, the vehicle could also continue driving itself long enough to pull over safely.

However, as Tesla's processing requirements increased, redundancy was removed on hardware 3.0 so that Tesla could leverage the processing power of both nodes.

With hardware 4.0, Tesla has once again added redundancy into their hardware, not only in terms of chips and processing but power redundancy as well.

Retrofits

During Tesla's earnings call last month, Elon talked a little bit about hardware 4.0, saying that it would not be economically feasible to perform retrofits.

However, given this look at Tesla's latest FSD hardware, it all but confirms that Tesla has no plans to offer any sort of retrofit.

Hardware 4.0 is also much more than just a faster computer. The power draw is much higher on hardware 4.0 than on hardware 3. The form factor is also completely different and will not fit in a previous model without modifications.

Tesla's previous FSD hardware upgrades were either camera upgrades or a computer upgrade, both of which were easily swappable. However, the hardware 4.0 suite now includes additional cameras, new camera placements, a new computer form factor, and an HD radar, making a retrofit unrealistic in every way.

There may be hobbyists that will dedicate their time and money to retrofitting their vehicles, but that's as far as we expect retrofits to go. The time and money Tesla would spend on retrofitting a vehicle would not make 'economical sense.'

Radar

Tesla's hardware 4.0 package augments vision with an HD radar.

Tesla started removing radar from their vehicles in 2021 with the Model 3 and Model Y. They later removed radar from their Model S and Model X vehicles as well in favor of a vision-only system.

However, with hardware 4.0, Tesla is reintroduced radar with a high-definition radar named Phoenix. HD radar is a step up from traditional radar, letting Tesla more accurately create an image with radar alone.

The inclusion of an HD radar isn't a surprise, as Elon Musk has previously said vision with high-res radar would be better than pure vision.

With hardware 4.0 Tesla is also going the extra distance with protecting its sensors. Not only will some of the cameras contain heaters to prevent weather-related issues, but Tesla will include a heater for the radar as well.

The radar heater will prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the front of the vehicle and blocking the radar signals.

Power Consumption

Since hardware 4's chips are more powerful it isn't a big surprise that they also require additional power. 

According to Green, hardware 3 consumed about 100 watts max, which is about the same as hardware 2.5. Hardware 3 was created with the same power restrictions as hardware 2.5 since it needed to be easily retrofitted.

However, since hardware 4.0 isn't going to be retrofitted, it didn't come with the same design restrictions. We don't know what hardware 4's max processing power is based on the information disclosed, but it will apparently idle at 80 watts, which is about double the idle power of hardware 3.

Which Models Will Have Hardware 4.0

Green believes that Tesla is producing Model S and Model X vehicles with hardware 4.0 now. However, Tesla is hanging on to them and they're not being delivered yet.

Tesla has their upcoming March 1st event titled Investor Day, where they may reveal hardware 4.0 to everyone. Possibly with a surprise announcement that all current vehicles contain hardware 4.0.

It's not clear whether the Model 3 and Model Y are currently being manufactured with the new hardware, the Model 3 and Y lines in China are currently paused for retooling which could be related to hardware 4.

Tesla’s 500kW Superchargers Set to Launch in Q3 2025

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Tesla’s VP of Charging, Max de Zegher, recently confirmed on X that the first 500kW Supercharger sites are coming soon. These next-generation chargers will not only support the Cybertruck charging at 500kW, but they’ll also be more cost-effective to deploy than previous models.

Late last year, Tesla indicated plans to accelerate Supercharger deployments, with many future locations featuring V4 cabinets. Some sites are already being equipped with V4 posts, offering improved charging capabilities, but the V4 cabinets allow Tesla to get even more power to each stall.

500kW Charging

Tesla recently enabled 325kW charging for the Cybertruck at compatible Superchargers across North America - specifically those with V4 posts and V3 cabinets, which are typically referred to as V3.5 Superchargers. The upcoming V4 Superchargers will also have a V4 cabinet, which will take this even further—delivering up to 500kW per stall.

While the increase to 325kW has already improved charging times by approximately 3–5 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s state of charge (SoC), the jump to 500kW is expected to have an even greater impact. With this upgrade, the Cybertruck could potentially charge from 10% to 80% SoC in under 30 minutes—an impressive feat for a vehicle with a massive 123kWh battery pack.

The vehicle’s ability to maintain a high level of charge current can make an even larger difference, so we’ll have to see what the charge curve looks like at these new 500kW chargers.

pic.twitter.com/fte2TJaInp

— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) November 14, 2024

V4 Cabinets Improvements

One of the biggest advantages of the V4 cabinet is its streamlined design. It can power up to eight charging posts—twice as many as the V3 cabinet—reducing site complexity and minimizing the amount of electrical work needed between the cabinet and the posts. This results in a smaller footprint and a more efficient installation process.

Tesla has optimized deployments by pre-mounting Supercharger posts on factory-made concrete bases, making them ready for quick installation. With this approach, Tesla is able to install each post for less than $40,000, according to Max de Zegher.

This is a fraction of the $225,000 per stall cost recently revealed in a contract awarded to Revel Charging. This massive price difference benefits both Tesla and site owners, allowing for faster and more cost-effective network expansion.

Lower costs also mean potential savings for customers, who will enjoy cheaper and faster charging. With the first full V4 sites set to roll out soon, it will be exciting to see how quickly the Cybertruck can charge. Looking ahead, future Tesla vehicles with 800V high-voltage architecture could also take advantage of these next-generation charging speeds.

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Tesla Introducing Virtual Queues for Superchargers: Here’s How It Could Work

Not a Tesla App

Supercharging is fast and convenient, but there are times when a station reaches full capacity, requiring drivers to wait for an available stall. When there are only a few vehicles in line, the wait is minimal, and figuring out whose turn it is to charge is straightforward. However, long queues can form during peak travel times or in high-traffic areas, leading to confusion and frustration as vehicles cut the line.

Currently, there is no official system for managing Supercharger queues—drivers rely on informal, self-organized lines. While many follow an unspoken order, disputes can arise when some claim they arrived first or attempt to cut ahead.

Urban Superchargers in cities like Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York often see long lines during busy hours, with drivers doing their best to maintain order. A structured queuing system could help streamline the process, reducing conflicts and ensuring a fair, organized charging experience for all, and that’s exactly what Tesla is about to implement.

Virtual Queue

The Tesla Charging account on X has confirmed that it plans to introduce a Virtual Queuing system, with a pilot program set to launch at select Supercharger sites next quarter. While Tesla has yet to specify which locations will be included, it’s likely the initial rollout will take place in the United States, where the company typically begins testing new charging initiatives.

Tesla says that if the pilot program receives positive feedback, they will expand the system to more Superchargers this year.

The goal of Virtual Queuing is to improve the charging experience whenever wait times occur. According to Tesla, this would apply to roughly “~1% of cases,” though many high-demand Supercharger sites frequently experience long lines. While some remote locations may see little to no wait times, busier stations could greatly benefit from a structured queuing system.

Potential Implementations

While Tesla hasn’t detailed exactly how the Virtual Queuing system will work, there are a few likely possibilities. One approach could involve locking a vehicle’s VIN into the queue, preventing other vehicles from starting a charge prematurely. In this case, any attempt to charge out of turn might trigger a “Stall reserved for next vehicle in line” message.

This method would provide a straightforward solution—only the next vehicle in the queue would be able to initiate a session. The queuing process itself could be automated when a vehicle navigates to the Supercharger, factoring in estimated arrival time, or it might require manual enrollment once you arrive.

Tesla may also impose limits on queue validity. If a vehicle leaves the charging area, its position could be automatically forfeited.

Software Solution

In China, Superchargers sometimes include locks that come up from the ground, preventing non-Teslas from parking in these designated Supercharger spots. Up until recently, Tesla users had to open up the Tesla app and choose a stall before the lock would go down and allow them to park. However, with a recent update, this is all done on the vehicle’s screen, where the driver can pick the charging stall and automatically have the lock lower.

We may see a similar implementation, where a driver would choose to add themselves to the Supercharger queue, and their position in line and estimated wait time would then be viewable on the vehicle’s screen.

Reservation Signage

Tesla’s reservation about this new queuing system could be around driver confusion. Superchargers weren’t built with a queue system in mind, meaning that there’s no way to tell whether a stall is reserved for a specific vehicle.

A physical indicator could help owners quickly identify when a Supercharger stall is available for the next vehicle in the queue. Tesla could implement a system similar to grocery store checkout lights, where a change in lighting signals whether a register is open or closed.

For example, the Supercharger post could pulse blue when it’s ready for the next user, with a corresponding message in the vehicle stating, “Use the Supercharger post that is pulsing blue.” This would provide a clear, intuitive way to direct drivers to the correct stall.

Tesla can also display a menu inside a vehicle when it first arrives at a Supercharger, letting the driver know that there’s a wait time and explaining the process and their estimated wait time. It can also prompt the driver to be added to the queue.

Tesla Priority

Another factor to consider is how Tesla will handle non-Tesla vehicles in the queue. One possibility is giving priority access to Tesla owners or those subscribed to the Supercharger membership. This would ensure that Tesla vehicles and paying members receive preferred access at busy Supercharger sites, making the membership more valuable while also incentivizing Tesla ownership—especially as the network expands to other EV brands.

Regardless of whether Tesla introduces priority access, the Supercharger queuing system will be a valuable addition, particularly in high-traffic urban locations and during peak travel seasons. By having an official queue Tesla will create a smoother and more organized charging experience for all users.

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