Tesla's Hardware 4.0 May Be Capable of Bird's Eye View Feature

By Lennon Cihak
Will Tesla add a bird's eye view feature to newer vehicles?
Will Tesla add a bird's eye view feature to newer vehicles?
@zzapcars

Tesla’s forthcoming hardware 4.0 computer reveals that Tesla will be able to connect up 12 cameras with its new FSD hardware suite, up from the current nine it uses today.

Earlier this week, Tesla owner and hacker Greentheonly leaked information and pictures of Tesla’s anticipated hardware 4.0. Green confirmed some big and subtle improvements to the hardware.

12 Cameras in Hardware 4

The new hardware's main board will accept up to 12 cameras, with one of them labeled as a spare. Tesla currently uses nine cameras in its current hardware and is expected to reduce the front-facing cameras by one. Based on this information and the labels on the camera connectors, it appears that Tesla will include three additional cameras with FSD hardware 4.0.

When Greentheonly revealed these hardware 4 details, Twitter user StayLameBro1 inquired about where the new cameras will be placed around the vehicle. “There are seemingly 3 bumper cameras,” Green responds. “One up front the other two are left and right so in the corners somewhere.”

Green adds that the addition of bumper cameras and HD radar will remove blind spots. This is a big deal alone. Lastly, Green added that these additional cameras could allow Tesla to incorporate a real bird’s eye view into its vehicles, a feature many Tesla owners have been requesting.

There's currently a large blind spot in front of the vehicle
There's currently a large blind spot in front of the vehicle
Munro

Bird’s Eye View

Bird's eye view is a feature that many other automakers have had for a while now, including Toyota, Honda, BMW, and Lucid. It allows for drivers to see a top-down view of their vehicle and surroundings, increasing safety and spatial awareness.

Last fall, Tesla announced they’re transitioning their fleet to their own Tesla Vision. The company added that vehicles built in October 2022 and beyond would no longer include ultrasonic sensors (USS). This sent confusion around the Tesla community given the blind spots, but hardware 4 will seemingly address these concerns.

The removal of the USS saves Tesla approximately $114 per vehicle. This is in line with “Project Highland,” a cost-cutting project for the upcoming revamped Model 3.

No Retrofits for Hardware 4

One big improvement that’s coming to hardware 4 are upgraded cameras. Currently, Tesla uses cameras with 1.2-megapixels. Hardware 4 is expected to ship with 5-megapixel cameras. However, Tesla owners on hardware 3 will not be able to retrofit their vehicles.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors that upgrading hardware 3 to hardware 4 is difficult and expensive.

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

After the leak of hardware 4, we now begin to understand Musk's statement. We're not only talking about a new computer with hardware 4, but higher-resolution cameras, additional cameras, possibly a new bumper design and an HD radar unit.

Musk has also reiterated that hardware 3 will be capable of driving safer than a human, however, it's not clear under which constraints that would be, such as specific roads and weather conditions, or whether a human driver would always be required to be attentive.

Update: We have now confirmed that FSD Hardware 4.0 will not include additional cameras in the bumper or elsewhere, which means that the vehicle will still have a blind spot. However, we have been told that the 'bumper' camera connectors on HW4.0 are for future expansion, but will not be used initially.

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Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics.

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Conclusion

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

Tesla Is in Talks To Produce Electric Vans in Italy According to Report

By Kevin Armstrong
Van rendering
Van rendering

Italy has been discussing with Tesla about potentially establishing a factory producing electric trucks and vans. This information came to light in an Italian media outlet, Il Sole 24 Ore, which reported that the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Mimit) spearheaded talks to secure Tesla's investment.

Tesla and Italy: A Strategic Dialogue

Since last summer, Italy has broadened its industrial horizons by engaging in talks with Tesla, alongside negotiations with prominent Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Chery Automobile. Notably, the discussions with Tesla have centered around producing electric commercial vehicles, highlighting a departure from conventional car manufacturing and reflecting the evolving demands of the global market.

Under the leadership of Minister Adolfo Urso, Italy aims to invigorate its automotive sector by encouraging the presence of multiple manufacturers. This approach is designed to stabilize the national components sector, which faces challenges due to the shift towards electric vehicles. Italy aims to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually, including a significant contribution from a new yet-to-be-determined manufacturer.

A Geopolitical and Industrial Balancing Act

Italy's engagement with Tesla occurs amidst a delicate phase of negotiations with Stellantis for increased vehicle production within the country. This strategic dialogue with Tesla, alongside discussions with Chinese competitors, is a pivotal element in Italy's industrial and geopolitical maneuvering.

A multipurpose van is the next logical step for Tesla to produce once the less expensive next-gen platform is released (code name Redwood). However, engineers seem to be busy perfecting the next-gen Roadster, and the van has had little discussion. Given the company's leaks, if a van were in the works, you would think we would’ve heard about it. Perhaps this is the nudge Tesla needs to get the van into production.

As Italy endeavors to become a key player in the electric vehicle industry, its negotiations with Tesla signify a promising development. The possibility of Tesla establishing a facility for electric trucks and vans in Italy underscores the country's commitment to sustainable transportation and positions Italy as an attractive destination for automotive innovation.

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