Leak Reveals Tesla Hardware 4.0 Will Feature Camera Heaters and Fans

New information is leaked about Tesla's upcoming hardware 4.0 suite

@ChrisZheng001

We now have new information regarding Tesla's updated cameras that will be used in Hardware 4.0. Twitter user @ChrisZheng001, who has ties with the Tesla supply chain in China, posted three images that appear to be camera configurations. While the information in the picture is limited, there is enough text to uncover what may be in development at Tesla.

Three Cameras to Two

The front-facing cameras will be reduced to two

@ChrisZheng001

Perhaps the biggest change comes to the trio of cameras that make up the forward-facing view for the Autopilot system. The translation appears to state that Tesla will be reducing its three front-facing cameras down to two and all cameras, including the interior camera, will be upgraded to 'AP4' cameras. The newer cameras are expected to have a much higher resolution in addition to other improvements such as LED flicker mitigation.

The only information provided by @ChrisZheng001 in the post is: The Autopilot HW 4.0 front camera will be reduced to two Cz (because) of the significant increase in both pixel density and field of view.

In November of 2022, it was revealed that a Tesla supplier was producing 5-megapixel cameras. The current cameras are 1.2 megapixels. So, while the number of cameras is being reduced, Tesla Vision will actually improve.

Fans for Forward Facing Cameras

The front-facing cameras will feature a fan to help with condensation

@ChrisZheng001

That leads to the next change. The housing size doesn’t appear to change, just what is in it. According to the document, and again using Google translate, it states: the shape of the black border at the position of the front camera has changed/added a camera fan.

By that wording, it sounds like the new housing will include a fan, likely to prevent condensation buildup. However, it seems open for change with a window for feedback and further evaluation.

B-Pillar Changes

B-pillar cameras will gain a heater in addition to a new camera opening

@ChrisZheng001

There is one more picture. The text reads: B-pillar exterior trim. B-pillar exterior panel camera change, opening shape change, new camera heating device. Inspection station: final care exterior decoration inspection appearance; heating function will be evaluated after project feedback.

There is not much to figure out there. Tesla appears to be adding a heating device to keep the B-pillar cameras clear and changing the shape of the opening. That could be due to the size of the new cameras or the field of view they require.

It’s widely speculated that a new high-resolution radar unit is in the works. That radar combined with these high-powered cameras means Tesla’s already incredible Autopilot system will only improve.

A Closer Look at Tesla's Ambient Lighting Feature in the New Model 3 and Cybertruck [Video]

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

crospotter13

If you look up ambient lights for Tesla, you'll see several ads for third-party light kits. Perhaps this is why Tesla added its own Ambient Lights feature to the new Model 3. So, let's get enlightened.

Tesla's ambient lights are thin light strips that are embedded in each of the vehicle's doors near the top edge. It also curves around the dashboard near the windshield, giving passengers a near 360-degree light effect.

Supported Models

Tesla new ambient light feature is available on the new Model 3 (2024+), and will be available on the Cybertruck in a similar manner. With a refresh ongoing for the Model Y, known as Juniper, it will likely also have ambient lights. That just leaves out the most luxurious flagship vehicles, the Model S and X, for now.

The Model S and Model X could be due for a minor refresh that would not only add ambient lighting, but also include a front-bumper camera that the Cybertruck has and the new Model 3 is expected to have in the near future.

Customization

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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The ambient light settings allow you to light up the interior in a color that reflects your mood or preference. Under Controls > Lights > Accent Lights, you are handed the freedom to choose virtually any color to adorn the interior of your Tesla.

You have control over whether the ambient lights are on, off, or set to an "Auto" setting, though not fully clarified, seems to promise intelligent lighting adjustments akin to our control over dome lights, offering a reduction in reflections during drives.

While the ability to control the brightness level seems missing, Tesla did include color presets, letting you curate a series of your favorite colors.

It should be noted that the changes are confined to the light strips on the doors and dash, steering clear of the footwell lights and other interior lighting.

Future Enhancements

With Tesla, we can be assured there will be enhancements to this feature in a future update. In fact, the Tesla community is already busy coming up with useful suggestions. Some owners thought Tesla should take advantage of the lighting to provide driver feedback, such as automatically changing the ambient lighting to a red hue when there's a vehicle in your blind spot. Tesla could also glow the light strip on a door if it's not closed properly, or use the lighting to provide feedback when Sentry Mode is enabled.

Other uses could be more fun, such as cycling the light through various colors when the 'Rainbow Road' easter egg is activated.

Ambient Lighting in Action

While the possibilities are endless and Tesla engineers will surely have fun coming up with creative uses for the feature, the biggest improvement we can hope for in the near future is the ability to adjust the light intensity.

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Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Performance Details Discovered in European Documents

Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades

Tesla

Tesla outdid itself with the refreshed Model 3, known as the Highland. Despite all the fantastic upgrades, something is missing - the Performance version or perhaps the Plaid. The letter "T" has shown up on vehicle certificates in Europe, and despite Elon Musk's sense of humor, it is unlikely this is a Mr. T reference.

Deciphering the 'T'

A new document shows the new Model 3 Performance will have a dual motor

eivissacopter / X

Diligent scrutiny of the European Type Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW and shared on the TFF Forum, revealed a subtle yet pivotal alteration — including the letter 'T' in the eighth digit of the Model 3 Performance's VIN.

This seemingly minor detail, indicative of the vehicle's motor/drive unit type, sparked curiosity and speculation on the forum. Could it be a tri-motor setup to usher in a new Plaid version of the Model 3? This vehicle has already got endless amounts of zip, but three motors? May The Schwartz Be With You!

This could also explain the Model 3+ badging that was spotted during the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China inspection of the refresh. However, the regulatory filings highlighted just two distinct variants of the car: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 194 kW motor and an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup that combines to deliver a formidable 331 kW of maximum power.

Initial conjectures leaned towards the possibility of a tri-motor setup, drawing parallels with the Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X. However, a deeper dive into the certification document clarified that the Model 3 Performance retained its Dual Motor setup, dispelling the possibility of a tri-motor upgrade.

Strategic Enhancements: A Glimpse into Potential Upgrades

Given the documented specifications, it becomes plausible that Tesla has strategically enhanced one of the dual motors, potentially aligning it with the advanced motor found in the Model S/X Plaid. This modification is poised to augment the top-end speed and acceleration of the Model 3 Performance, addressing its comparative limitations in extended races against traditional gas-powered supercars.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 refresh has become the new Bigfoot of the roads of North America, with rare sightings posted on social media. However, it appears the continent is excluded from the initial launch of the Model 3 Highland. Internal communications within Tesla suggest North American enthusiasts might have to exercise patience until 2024.

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