Tesla brings back UI cards in this year's Holiday Update
@bnkwupt/Twitter
Tesla’s highly anticipated holiday update is reintroducing UI cards to the Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y contained widget-like cards in the lower-left corner of the screen that could be swiped to view certain information such as the vehicle's trip meters and odometer, as well as tire pressure readings.
However, with Tesla's UI redesign during last year's holiday update, these cards were removed and integrated into the vehicle's menus. It certainly makes sense to have this information in the menus as that's where all of the other vehicle information is available, however, it was a step backward in terms of quick access to this information.
The information these cards provide is almost identical to the ones previously available, however, their design and layout have been updated.
Two informational cards provide quick access to the vehicle's tire pressures and the vehicle's odometer.
The tire pressure readings display a photo of the vehicle with the tire pressure reading displayed near each wheel. Previously tire pressure readings were only available while the vehicle was in motion, but thanks to a recent update, the vehicle will now display the last known tire pressure reading if the vehicle is parked.
The odometer and trips card will display the amount of energy used for each trip as well as the distance traveled. Like before, you'll be able to view energy and distance traveled for the current drive, since last charged and for each trip meter.
Differences From Old Cards
There are two small changes here. The previous iteration of cards displayed the time your "Current Drive" started, and also displayed how many minutes you had been driving, which was a useful metric. However, now all trip meters display the same information, which is the distance traveled, kWh used and average Wh/mi.
The old cards also required you to scroll vertically to go through the various trip meters. However, Tesla has now designed it so that all trips are viewed together on a single card, which is a nice improvement.
Tesla brings back UI cards in this year's Holiday Update
@showp1984/Twitter
However, the downside of this is that not all trip meters can be viewed at once, since there are five in total when counting the current drive, since last charge, Trip A, Trip B and the odometer. To fix this issue Tesla now lets you decide which trip meters should show up in the 'Trips' card.
By navigating to Controls > Trips, there is now a new checkbox under each trip, letting you choose whether that trip meter should show up in the card.
A nice addition is that you can now tap these cards to jump to the specific area in the vehicle's menu. For example, tapping on one of the trip meters will take you to Controls > Trips.
Cards in Action
View Cabin Camera
With version 2022.44.25.1, owners will also be able to remotely view their internal camera when their vehicle is in Sentry Mode or Dog Mode. In the event of a break-in, owners will have footage of the bandit and be able send that footage to local authorities. This has been a highly requested feature for years now.
View the cabin camera from the Tesla app while using Dog Mode or Sentry Mode to keep an eye on your puppy ? pic.twitter.com/yyeyfF5XTd
Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.
Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.
It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.
Advisor-led Demo
This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.
The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.
Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.
Vision-based Improvements
ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.
Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.
I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.
Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.
Actually Smart Summon
ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.
We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.
Park Seek and Banish Autopark
When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.
A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.
While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.
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Tesla Android Project enables you to run Android apps in your Tesla. The platform is Open Source and you can deploy it on your own Raspberry Pi 4. Consider supporting the initiative by donating or purchasing the Compute Module 4 Bundle that delivers the best experience. Get $20 off by using the code: NotATeslaApp
The official Tesla app only notifies you if your car is broken into. By installing Sentry Pro on your phone, you will be notified for all Sentry Mode events. Stay connected and avoid potential surprises by receiving notifications. Stop constantly checking the cameras to ensure safety. Check only when necessary, save battery and get peace of mind. Get a 7 day free trial here!
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