Tesla has started to roll out its latest update — 2022.40.1
ArsalamiSandwich
Tesla owners who are dog lovers no longer have to decide between Sentry Mode and Dog Mode. That is just one of several enhancements in the latest update — 2022.40.1.
Other improvements include battery preconditioning, driver door unlock and radio station logos, while existing features have launched in new regions.
New Features
Let's start with the Sentry and Dog Mode combo. Both of these features would rate high on items that Tesla owners appreciate about their vehicles. Sentry is a best-in-class security/surveillance system, and Dog Mode keeps the cabin at an appropriate temperature for your pet while you are away.
However, the two systems did not work together because Sentry would constantly be triggered whenever the dog moved inside the vehicle. For those who have dogs that love car rides, this meant not being able to use Sentry to protect your car and your dog. Now both features can be used together for most vehicles. This update silences Sentry Mode alarms while still recording and keeping the temperature safe for your pooch.
Listening to the radio may get more appealing with the addition of radio station logos to the media player.
The radio in a Tesla doesn't get a lot of recognition since competes against music streaming services and other entertainment that have much more engaging screens, but Tesla did a great job with its radio implementation.
The radio will automatically scan for local stations, so you can just tap to get to your favorite station. It also offers a direct input instead of a radio dial and now features radio station icons to make it easier to find your favorite station. With this update the list of radio stations has been changed to a grid to make room for the station name and logo. When playing an FM radio station, the station's logo will also appear in the album artwork area of the music player. (Photo credit to ArsalamiSandwich).
Tesla will now display radio stations logo in the media player
ArsalamiSandwich
Voice directions are now available in Hebrew in the Middle East. Tesla continues to expand the languages offered in its vehicles. It's estimated that 9 million people speak Hebrew worldwide.
Improvements to Existing Features
In an effort to speed up charging times, the thermal system control will now be optimized to match the charging station's power capability. The company has been expanding its vast network of Superchargers, which means there are many variations in the station output. This update means your Tesla won't waste too much energy preparing the battery if you're headed to a slower DC charging station.
Update 2021.44 added the ability to only unlock the driver's door when the handle is pressed to improve safety. However, it wasn't ideal when traveling with passengers as they would have to wait until you get into the vehicle to open the other doors.
With update 2022.40, Tesla did what it does best — improve vehicle features. If you have the Driver Door Unlock Mode feature on, you can now hold and press the interior driver door switch to unlock all vehicle doors and trunk.
If this update Tesla is also adding this feature to the new Model S.
To access Driver Door Unlock Mode, tap Controls > Lock > Driver Door Unlock Mode.
More vehicles and regions now have access to a consistent regenerative braking feel even when it's limited. For example, regenerative braking may not be available when the battery is at a max charge or in certain weather conditions. In May 2022, Tesla sent out an update to many areas and vehicles, allowing the car to behave the same way when it is decelerating with or without regenerative braking. This feature enables drivers to perfect the one-foot driving technique at all times.
With this update, it is now available for some legacy Model S and Model X vehicles.
With winter coming, the Tire Configuration program is now for the Model Y as well. It allows users to reset the learned tire settings after a tire rotation or replacement for an improved driving experience. To reset, tap Controls > Service > Wheel & Tire Configuration > Tires.
Other changes include exterior lighting improvements and Sentry Mode Live Camera Access added to Israel, Supercharger details included in China, and Boombox is now available in Japan. However, Hong Kong went against the trend as it continues to allow fewer features. The dashcam viewer has been removed, the country recently took away Tesla's arcade and Toybox.
Tesla is implementing a new hazard light pattern that improves drivers' attention
Emergency Safety Solutions
Tesla is rolling out a significant safety enhancement through a software update. Teslas, already the safest vehicles on the planet, got a little safer thanks to a small company based in Texas. While this article will highlight the advancement in safety, it will also applaud the work of Emergency Safety Solutions, which dared to challenge the old way of doing things.
Overnight Evolution: The Game Changer
Tesla North America didn't mince words when they announced: "If an airbag is deployed, hazard lights will automatically activate & flash faster to improve visibility." Elon Musk added, "New Tesla safety feature uploaded via over-the-air software update. Your car just got better while you slept."
It got much better thanks to a partnership with Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS), which we spotlighted a year ago. The small company, now just five years old, used a Tesla Model 3 to display its advancements in the hazard lights system, which had remained unchanged for more than 70 years. After numerous studies, the company changed everything about the hazard lights and approached Tesla with its findings.
Chilling Frequency: Every seven minutes, a disabled vehicle is involved in a crash on American roads. The result? An alarming 15,000 injuries or fatalities annually.
Ancient Flaws: The primary culprit behind these startling figures is a hazard light system that hasn't been updated in over seven decades.
The Solution: A frequency shift by adjusting flash frequencies from the sluggish 1.5Hz system to between 4Hz and 6Hz immensely heightens driver alertness. Hertz is a unit of frequency, which equals the number of cycles per second. In this case, the frequency of flashing lights is increased from 1.5 flashes per second, up to 4 - 6 flashes per second.
Real-World Outcomes: When 5Hz flash frequency was tested, drivers reacted a crucial 12 seconds faster. Moreover, they recognized an issue of more than three football fields sooner than the 70-year version. The number of drivers shifting to the safer side of a disabled vehicle also shot up dramatically — from 30% to an impressive 87%.
Emergency Safety Solutions also posted on X: "Great step toward making our roads safer for people in disabled and vulnerable vehicles! We appreciate our partnership with Tesla and applaud this major milestone in our mission to protect drivers when they need it most."
Software Update
Tesla states in their post on X that this update is rolling out now in the U.S. to Model 3/Y vehicles and newer Model S and Xs.
It's not clear whether Tesla means this enhancement is available in update 2023.32, or whether it's in the upcoming 2023.38 update, which is currently in employee testing.
It's more likely that H.E.L.P. is implemented in update 2023.38, but we have yet to receive release notes for vehicles in the U.S., so we'll have to wait and see if this enhancement made it in.
More H.E.L.P. to Come
Keep an eye out for even more safety advancements courtesy of this partnership with ESS and Tesla. The company created the Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol or HELP. Beyond the lightning-fast flashes, HELP seamlessly integrates with in-car and phone navigation systems, giving drivers a heads-up about potential hazards before they become visible. It's like giving your Tesla a sixth sense.
Unfortunately, that will take longer as it would require more automakers to get on board with this new system. However, as we've realized, automakers are following Tesla's leadership on several fronts, and they may also increase road safety and implement the advanced system.
If an airbag is deployed, hazard lights will automatically activate & flash faster to improve visibility
It's not a good day to be named Max and work at Tesla or on the security team assigned to the Cybertruck. You can't help but wonder how a daring individual found himself in the driver's seat of this highly anticipated vehicle. This perpetrator spoke in Russian and joked that a bag in the truck belonged to Elon Musk before zooming in to a name tag reading "Max."
While we certainly don't condone breaking the law, we were provided with a risky reveal of the Cybertruck's interior courtesy of a mysterious and perhaps too-bold-for-his-own-good infiltrator.
Cyber-Theme UI
The video is less than a minute long but provides new information, notably on the updated user interface (UI). For weeks we've had Cybertruck sightings, but this is our best look at the Cybertruck's display.
Updated Icons and Font
The UI appears designed specifically for the Cybertruck; icons possess subtle sharp edges, mirroring Cybertruck's angular aesthetics. This design philosophy also extends to the unique font choice, giving the UI a rugged, distinct look.
Visualizations
A further advancement is the seamless transition between vehicle visualization and maps. The once-clear partition is a fading background, allowing for a more unified appearance. This unity is further emphasized with the vehicle now being depicted atop a 3D polygon terrain, which has been discovered before in firmware updates.
Icon Placement Changes
One of the first distinctions users would notice is the transition from horizontal app icons. This design has been the hallmark of previous Tesla models, to a vertical arrangement along the lefthand side of the screen.
The vehicle control icon is at the bottom, followed by climate controls and other apps. The gear indicator has evolved, too, switching from its usual horizontal layout to a vertical orientation in the screen's top left portion.
A closer look at the Cybertruck's UI
Vladvein/YouTube
The status icons, such as time, temperature, Tesla profile used to grace the top of the display, but they have now been realigned to the left side and can now be found directly above the vehicle visualization.
Cameras, Front Camera Confirmed
Another intriguing update revolves around the Camera app. Where previously users had to decipher camera views, they are now labeled for convenience, as showcased in the video with marked "Left" and "Front" camera views. Yes, there is a front camera view, finally answering the question of Tesla introducing the front bumper camera. We previously had a look at how we expect Tesla's updated Camera app to work with the front bumper camera.
Battery Icon
One of the standout features in the video is the battery display. Gone are the traditional battery icons. Instead, we are introduced to slanted lines, each symbolizing 10% of the battery charge. This visual representation is intuitive and integrates with the Cybertruck's angular design.
Music Mini Player?
Beneath the vehicle visualization is what appears to be a minuscule music control feature, though its precise functionality remains uncertain from the short video clip.
Inside the Cybertruck: More than Just a Fresh UI
Ambient Lighting: Drawing inspiration from the latest Model 3 Refresh and the Chinese Model Y, the Cybertruck incorporates a colorful ambient lighting strip. Strategically placed, this lighting adds a modern aura to the vehicle's groundbreaking design.
Interior Layout and Accessories: The video takes us on a mini-tour of the truck's interior, revealing several intriguing features:
Hexagonal Design Elements: Keeping in line with Cybertruck's geometric aesthetic, the backup camera icon flaunts a hexagonal design, intriguingly contrasting the octagonal design found on the cupholders.
Center Console: A spacious tray area reminiscent of the old Model S finds a home between the front seats. Decked with some wires and a yet-to-be-identified document, the console boasts "cyber cupholders" with an octagonal design. Furthermore, it's equipped with dual phone charging spots right in front of the cupholders.
Sun Visor: The video briefly showcases the two-stage sun visor, which resembles the one found in the Model X. The video provides a glimpse of the massive glass roof, promising a panoramic view that will undoubtedly make the interior feel even more expansive.
Rear Window View: A feature with many talking is the clear view through the back window. Although the video offers only a short glimpse, obstructed by tires placed in the truck's bed, it's evident that when the cover is open, drivers and passengers will benefit from an expansive, unobstructed view.
As one viewer pointed out, this video will probably be used for evidence one day. Whoever was in the Cybertruck owes Max an apology, and poor Max needs to remember to lock the door.
Video reveals the Cybertruck’s UI
- apps are along the left side - status bar icons like time and temp are above the vehicle visualization - smaller nav search icon - gradient between the visualizations and map
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