Tesla Talks FSD Hardware 4.0, but There Will Not Be Retrofits

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla's new hardware 4.0 is close, but don't expect retrofits
Tesla's new hardware 4.0 is close, but don't expect retrofits
Tesla

Tesla's upcoming FSD hardware, hardware 4.0, is nearing completion, and although there is limited information about it, it sounds like it'll bring significant improvements. It's yet to be known when the new hardware will debut, but it is clear Tesla will not be retrofitting the existing fleet.

No Upgrades From FSD Hardware 3.0

Regarding upgrading hardware 3 to hardware 4, Elon Musk told investors:

"The cost and difficulty of retrofitting hardware 3 with Hardware 4 is quite significant. So, it would not be, I think, economically feasible to do so."

Musk said Hardware 3 is five years old but, "is still the most efficient inference computer in the world."

What Will Be In Hardware 4.0

It's believed that the new hardware will use 5-megapixel cameras; the current cameras are 1.2 megapixels. Also, some leaked pictures appear to reduce the amount of front-facing cameras from three to two and allow for heaters and fans.

The higher-resolution cameras will give Autopilot a significant advantage when trying to determine objects that are further away because of the additional pixels. An object that is 100 or 200 feet away may only be made up of a few pixels, but with almost 5x the resolution, the newer cameras will be able to more accurately determine what the object is. This is also true for everything else, such as the curvature of the upcoming turn.

In addition to the cameras, we know that there will be a new FSD computer which is expected to be about 4x more powerful than the current FSD computer in hardware 3.0. Part of this additional processing power will no doubt go toward processing the additional 32 million pixels that the newer cameras will provide.

However, hardware 4.0 will be about more than just a faster computer and better cameras. It is also expected to include an HD radar, which Elon Musk has talked about in the past and has been seen in Tesla's FCC filings. The addition of a high-definition radar could provide a significant advantage to FSD by sensing objects that cameras alone can't.

The difference between radar and HD imaging radars
The difference between radar and HD imaging radars
fierceelectronics.com

When Musk talks about the upgrade from hardware 3.0 to hardware 4.0 not being feasible, that likely means there may be even more to it than we already know. This could just be due to the new radar, new power, or space requirements for the new computer, but it's also possible that there could be more to hardware 4.0 than we know.

We know that Tesla's Robotaxi is already in development and this is a vehicle that is expected to be completely driverless. Tesla won't have the convenience of having a driver behind the wheel here. This could mean that Tesla may need to add additional hardware that we haven't heard about it. This could be different camera placements, or something entirely different.

What we know for sure is that hardware 4.0 will include higher-res cameras, a faster computer and likely an HD radar, but there could be even more that makes it infeasible to retrofit older vehicles.

Elon Talking About Hardware 4

The video below is queued up to the part where Elon talks about FSD hardware 4.0 (segment begins at 30:10).

Hardware 3.0 Will Be Capable of FSD

Musk put the argument into perspective for those who may want to wait. "Hardware 3 will not be as good as Hardware 4, but I'm confident that Hardware 3 will so far exceed the average -- the safety of the average human." He then broke it down further, "let's say, for argument's sake, if Hardware 3 can be, say, 200% or 300% safer than human, Hardware 4 might be 500% or 600%." In fact, stats show that Teslas operating with Autopilot engaged at 10 times safer, and that is with Hardware 3.

Will Teslas With HW3 Really Be Autonomous?

Listening to Musk's choice of words is interesting, he seems to have steered away from words he may have used in the past, such as referring to level 5 autonomy, or using the words robotaxi, or autonomous driving. Instead, he chose to say hardware 3 would exceed the safety of an average human. That could mean that Tesla's current FSD implementation will always require a driver behind the wheel, but the combo of Tesla's FSD system and the driver as a backup would be multiple times safer than a human.

Tesla has to be Careful

The CEO had a tightrope to walk when talking about the existing hardware and what the future system will look like. You may recall in late 2022 when demand for Teslas started to slow down. Many observers believe it was due to the impending tax credits the Inflation Reduction Act would provide for buyers of electric vehicles. Tesla cut prices for the last few days of 2022 to match tax credits, but only for consumers who took delivery before the end of the year.

Now, a new dilemma, how many consumers will wait for the latest hardware? There is no timeline for it, the only vehicle we know it will be in is the Cybertruck, but the Cybertruck won't start production until this summer.

FSD Hardware 5.0

Musk has a point. Hardware 3 is fantastic, but with a new one that is twice as good on the horizon, it losses some exceptionality. Then there is this next line by Musk, "with Hardware 4 coming and then Hardware 5 beyond that where there are significant leaps." So yes, we already have talk of Hardware 5. However, this is not expected for several years.

Once again, mark your calendar for March 1, 2023. Tesla is hosting Investor Day, and along with more information on the next-generation vehicle, we may get more details on hardware 4.0 and what it will contain.

Tesla Adds New UI When FSD Camera View is Obstructed

By Not a Tesla App Staff
@juztenough

On October 26, Tesla’s VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, announced that the company would soon release a fix for multiple warnings when FSD is degraded due to obstructed cameras. This update, part of FSD 12.5.6.2, addresses feedback from Tesla drivers, like X user TGWoodsy, who pointed out that these repeated alerts can be distracting, especially during bad weather.

FSD 12.5.6.2 started rolling out to employees on November 5th and was soon replaced with another update, version 12.5.6.3, a few days later. With FSD 12.5.6.3 now rolling out widely to AI4 vehicles, we have our first look at Tesla’s improved warning system.

Tesla went the extra mile here; they didn’t just reduce the FSD warnings but introduced a whole new interface that offers clearer, more specific information on which cameras are obstructed and actionable steps to improve visibility.

Warning

In previous versions, Tesla’s FSD would occasionally display a generic “degraded” warning whenever camera visibility was impacted, especially by rain, snow, or dirt. These warnings could trigger multiple alerts in quick succession, leading to audible notifications that were more distracting than helpful.

In FSD 12.5.6.3, Tesla has revamped this approach. Instead of repeatedly notifying drivers of degraded visibility, the system now provides a similar warning message that shows which camera’s visibility is limited and states that Autopilot features may be limited.

New Alert with Tips

@juztenough

In addition to the warning message, Tesla now displays an alert in the bottom left corner of the UI for Model 3 and Model Y owners that could be swiped away.

This notification gives you some additional information on why Autopilot may be degraded. It looks like Tesla stopped using the term FSD in these alerts and is now using “Autopilot,” hinting that this feature will also be available for regular Autopilot use. This new notification gives you a tip on how to improve camera clarity and even displays a thumbnail of the camera that’s obstructed.

This notification also has a View button that can be tapped to display more information about the camera or cameras that are obstructed.

Detailed View

Tesla has also added an option to view more in-depth information on the obstruction, allowing users to identify which specific camera is impacted and exactly where it’s located on the vehicle. By tapping “View,” drivers can open a detailed modal next to the FSD visualization. This pop-up displays a diagram of the vehicle and highlights the obstructed camera in question. This can be especially useful if it’s one of the front-facing cameras.

Tesla vehicles with Hardware 3 (HW3) have three front-facing cameras, while those with Hardware 4 (HW4) include two. The detailed view outlines the location of the obstructed cameras and shows a larger view of the obstructed camera, giving users a better idea of why it may be obstructed.

This detailed UI isn’t limited to front cameras alone—it’s expected to cover all the exterior cameras, which vary between seven and eight depending on the Tesla model.

This visual aid will be incredibly useful, as not all drivers may be familiar with where the repeater or B-pillar cameras are located.

This Year’s Most Creative Cybertruck Halloween Decorations for Trunk or Treat

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The Cybertruck has now celebrated its first Halloween, and owners did not disappoint in coming up with clever and unique decorations for their stainless steel trunk. Make sure you’ve got whatever is left of your candy nearby cause we’re going in.

Aliens

Up in the hero image to get us started - the Cybertruck is really a piece of alien technology. At least, that’s how it appears when it first arrives in town. So, why not celebrate the alien-ness of the Cybertruck to North American roads? We love it.

Spooky

@jayvee10x over on X put together this fantastic display for Halloween and included their Cybertruck! The Cybertruck would definitely be a good vehicle of choice to take on zombies and walking skeletons.

By @jayvee10x.
By @jayvee10x.
@jayvee10x

Halo

TeslaKen over on the Cybertruck Owner’s Club forums put together this outstanding Cosplay of Master Chief from Halo, and wrapped up his Cybertruck to look like a Warthog. Probably one of the coolest costumes we’ve seen so far.

By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
TeslaKen

Jaws

Sometimes, all you need to do to get a scare is to show some nice sharp teeth. The smoke machine just completes the look with the red glow.

Fangs!
Fangs!
Not a Tesla App

More Aliens

Terry Stach and Robert Martin captured some aliens in their trucks. Best to keep an eye on these ones, lest they whisk you away in their Cyber-UFO. Just watch out though, because @brandtsla over on X is being chased by that UFO!

Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach

Cyberbeast Cerberus

The Cyberbeast’s logo is the three-headed hound that guards the gates of hell - Cereberus. Turns out that S.E. Robinson let the dogs out. Our favorite, all things said. Maybe a smoke machine and some red lights to complete the look though! Oh wait, he’s got that too!

The Cybertruck makes an incredible canvas for Halloween decorations, and we’re eager to see even more creative ideas emerge as it heads into its second Halloween season next year.

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