Elon Musk Promises 'Super Good' Autowiper Performance With Latest Iteration

Musk believes owners will see a big improvement in Tesla's latest auto-sensing wiper updates

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On the heels of last week's wiper news about Tesla's auto-sensing feature, CEO Elon Musk has proclaimed that "wipers will be super good." This declaration seems to center on the recent rollout of the Autowiper v4 system, indicating a shift away from the previously hyped 'Deep Rain' concept.

Retracing the Path to Autowiper v4

While Tesla's auto wiper system had shortcomings, the company has taken note of user feedback to refine and upgrade the technology. Musk's tweet today brings attention to this effort, sparking speculation and excitement among Tesla owners.

The Autowiper v4 is a testament to Tesla's commitment to improving its driver experience, promising to deliver more precise and responsive wiper control in various weather conditions. This development represents the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and customer experience.

Pausing the 'Deep Rain' Concept

Musk's tweet also coincides with reports that Tesla may be stepping back from its 'Deep Rain' neural net. Once touted as the definitive solution to wiper sensitivity issues, the 'Deep Rain' feature can now be disabled internally in the new FSD Beta 11.4.2 release according to Tesla hacker, GreenTheOnly.

This unexpected turn of events has caused a buzz in the Tesla community. While some express disappointment, others see it as a strategic move to streamline the auto wiper system, shifting focus to the promising Autowiper v4.

Harnessing Surround Video for Enhanced Rain Detection

Musk apologized for the past performance of Tesla's auto wipers and revealed a key update in the tweet. Tesla is transitioning from a single camera, single frame neural net to a surround video system. This means the company is compiling video from all onboard cameras into a 360-degree view, which the neural net will then analyze.

Notably, this upgrade reflects Musk's vision of fully autonomous vehicles and how they may transform car ownership. The system can gain a comprehensive understanding of its surroundings by utilizing multiple camera feeds. This move promises improved rain detection and signifies a step toward Tesla's self-driving goals.

Embracing the Future: The Role of Autowiper v4

As Tesla continues to innovate, the Autowiper v4 system could play a key role in overcoming the challenges previously faced by the auto wiper system. Integrating all onboard cameras promises a better understanding of weather conditions, potentially increasing the system's efficiency and accuracy.

While in its early days, the Autowiper v4 represents an exciting advancement in Tesla's technological capabilities. It shows that Tesla is listening to its user base and remains committed to delivering improvements and upgrades that directly address the needs and concerns of its drivers.

What the Future Holds

The shelving of the 'Deep Rain' concept and the introduction of the Autowiper v4 system marks a critical juncture for Tesla's auto wiper technology. The shift to a surround video system demonstrates Tesla's unwavering commitment to innovation and user experience improvement.

While these developments have caused a stir in the Tesla community, the real test will come when Tesla enables v4 and lets drivers experience the new system. As the anticipation grows, the spotlight remains on Tesla as we wait to see if these updates deliver on their promise. The story of Tesla's Autowiper system is far from over, and it will be fascinating to watch it unfold.

Tesla's New Model Y To Have Adaptive Headlights at Launch

@DriveGreen80167 on X

In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed that the new Model Y will feature adaptive headlights.

The big question is: will these adaptive headlights be available at launch in North America? And how do they compare to full matrix headlights in terms of implementation? While Tesla has already introduced adaptive headlights in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the feature has yet to make its way to North America.

Originally delayed in the U.S. due to regulatory issues, manufacturers have been able to implement adaptive headlights since mid-2024. Meanwhile, competitors like Rivian and Mercedes-Benz have already rolled out their own full matrix headlight systems, matching what’s available in other regions.

Adaptive Headlights

Back in October 2024, Lars confirmed that matrix headlight functionality was just around the corner for North America. However, as we enter 2025, it’s still unclear when Teslas with matrix headlights will receive the feature.

Currently, Tesla in North America supports adaptive high beams and automatic headlight adjustment for curves, but full matrix functionality has yet to be rolled out. Meanwhile, matrix headlights are already available in Europe, where they selectively dim individual beam pixels to reduce glare for oncoming traffic and adapt to curves in the road.

It was surprising that matrix functionality wasn’t included in the comprehensive 2024 Tesla Holiday Update. This feature would likely improve safety ratings, so we can only assume Tesla is diligently working to secure regulatory approval.

Adaptive Headlights on Other Models

Lars didn’t confirm whether the refreshed Model Y comes with matrix-capable headlights, but it’ll likely follow suit with what was added to the new Model 3 and, more recently, the Cybertruck.

If the headlights are the same ones available on the new Model 3 and Cybertruck, then we can expect the adaptive headlights feature to quickly roll out to other models as well.

Looks like we’ll have to wait and see for now, but with deliveries starting in North America next month, it shouldn’t be too long before we know for sure.

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Tesla Starts Underwriting Its Own Insurance: Will They Insure Their Own Robotaxis?

Not a Tesla App

For the first time since launching Tesla Insurance in 2019, Tesla will begin underwriting its own policies, starting in California.

Tesla Insurance originally debuted in California and has since expanded to several U.S. states. Until now, policies were underwritten by State National, a subsidiary of the Markel Insurance Group. However, Tesla is now transitioning to fully in-house underwriting, beginning with its home state.

As part of this shift, California Tesla Insurance customers who receive an in-app offer to switch will be eligible for a one-time 3% discount on their next term’s premium—covered entirely by Tesla Insurance.

What is Underwriting

Underwriting is the process an insurance company uses to assess risk and determine whether to offer coverage, at what price, and under what terms.

Insurers evaluate factors such as driving history, credit score, age, vehicle type, and location. In Tesla’s case, vehicle driving data (not available in California) also plays a key role in risk assessment. These factors help classify drivers into risk categories, which influence their base premium.

From there, coverage limits, deductibles, and policy inclusions or exclusions can further adjust the final premium up or down.

Robotaxi and Other Benefits

At first glance, underwriting insurance might seem like a complex and costly process for Tesla. However, there are several compelling reasons why this move makes sense.

Insurance Income: Insurance is a highly profitable industry. Companies set rates based on risk, offering lower premiums to safer drivers and higher rates to riskier ones. This not only maximizes profitability but also incentivizes safer driving behavior, reducing overall claims.

Data Advantage: Tesla collects vast amounts of driving data through its Safety Score system. While California doesn’t allow Safety Score to impact premiums, Tesla can still use this data in the underwriting process to refine risk assessments and pricing for its vehicles.

Control Over Repair Costs: By underwriting its own policies, Tesla gains direct control over repairs and total loss decisions. This allows them to dictate when, where, and how repairs are done, optimizing costs for parts, labor, and service while ensuring vehicles are fixed according to Tesla’s standards.

FSD-Driven Discounts: Tesla has already begun offering insurance discounts for drivers using Full Self-Driving (FSD). By underwriting its own policies, Tesla could expand these incentives, potentially offering greater discounts to frequent FSD users in the future.

Preparing for Robotaxi: Perhaps the biggest long-term reason for this shift is the June launch of the Robotaxi fleet. How will Tesla insure these vehicles? The answer is simple—by underwriting its own policies and assuming liability.

Tesla’s decision to underwrite its own insurance isn’t just about cutting out middlemen—it’s a step toward lowering costs, increasing profitability, and preparing for the future of autonomous driving, a risk many insurance companies may be unwilling to make.

Further Expansion

This could be a strong sign that Tesla is preparing to expand its insurance offerings now that it has taken on the underwriting process itself. In July 2024, Tesla hired a former GEICO insurance executive to lead the expansion of Tesla Insurance and help reduce costs—a move that now appears to be paying off.

Rather than a traditional expansion, Tesla has instead made a bold move by bringing underwriting in-house, something few expected. However, it aligns with Tesla’s strategy of vertically integrating and controlling key aspects of its business, whether in manufacturing, software, or now, insurance.

If this pilot program proves successful, it could pave the way for Tesla Insurance to launch in more states—and potentially even other countries. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year, we may see Tesla accelerate its insurance expansion sooner than expected.

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