A Modern-Day Bigfoot: The Rise of Tesla Cybertruck Sightings [Video]

The Cybertruck shows off its four-wheel steering capabilities

Joe Tegtmeyer

It used to be like spotting a sasquatch, but now Cybertruck appears on X.com almost as much as Tesla's CEO. Today, sightings of Elon Musk's futuristic truck are increasingly common, but that certainly is not downplaying the excitement this vehicle has created since it was first announced.

Remember when a blurry image would be scrutinized and written about for days? It seems like it was just yesterday. Now people are spotting these stainless steel beasts at rest stops and seemingly abandoned on the side of the road. The sightings used to be central to Giga-Texas, but the radius is getting wider as more videos surface.

On The Road: A Fleet on the Move

A fleet of Cybertrucks has been spotted in Lonoke, Arkansas, transported on the back of trailers. Interestingly, one Cybertruck bore the mysterious label "completed crash ready" and was coupled with the front bumper concealed in thick white plastic.

The sighting near Lonoke—eight hours from Giga Austin—might indicate that the Cybertrucks were on their way to, or perhaps returning from crash testing. The positioning adds weight to the speculation, given that they had 13 hours more to reach the IIHS testing place in Virginia. Observant fans have also noticed a new wheel design, signaling further refinements in the truck's development.

Droning On: Up Close and Personal

The rise in Cybertruck sightings also includes drone footage (below), shot by Joe Tegtmeyer, of the vehicle cruising around Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Though the footage could easily be dismissed as mundane, a keen eye will notice the 4-wheel steering as the Cybertruck executes a U-turn and the shine of its stainless steel exterior under the sun. It's a brief yet essential look into what we can expect once the Cybertruck hits the roads.

Gearing Up for Deliveries

The growing accumulation of Cybertrucks outside Giga-Texas points towards impending deliveries. The closer we get to the official release, the more Cybertrucks are spotted on public roads, signaling that production is in full swing. An additional sighting of six Tesla Cybertrucks being transported, potentially for crash testing, further emphasizes the ramp-up in activity.

From being an elusive Bigfoot-like creature to a frequent sight on America's highways, the Cybertruck's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Whether for testing, transportation, or simply teasing the eagerly waiting public, these spottings represent a pivotal moment in Tesla's history.

Interesting that @Tesla is using in-house transportation rather than a transport conpany - More pics part 3 - 2 @Tesla Cybertrucks spotted in Lonoke, AR with one appearing to have been part of crash testing based on window markings and front cover
(Sent by a follower) pic.twitter.com/wVGnc2X1ui

— Branden Flasch (@brandenflasch) August 16, 2023

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Tesla's New 'Reloaded' FSD Computer With Front Bumper Camera

@greentheonly on X

Well-known Tesla hacker Greentheonly has discovered a new FSD computer labeled Model Y “Reloaded.” This AI4 FSD computer differs from other Model Y Autopilot hardware which is usually just labeled “Model Y.”

Initially, it looks like this new computer may be for the just-announced refreshed Model Y Juniper, which is now open for orders in North America and Europe as well as Asia Pacific, but several features reveal it’s not for Tesla’s upcoming best-seller.

So, with that said, put on your detective hats, we’re going for a little sleuth into what exactly this “Reloaded” computer could be used for.

Model Y Reloaded Computer

The AI4 computer is the brain behind Tesla’s FSD. It is the Autopilot computer, where all the vehicle’s cameras connect, enabling real-time data processing and analysis.

This particular unit is not the standard FSD unit that’s being shipped with the current, now “first-gen” Model Y. The biggest sign that it differs from the current AI4 computer is that it features a connector for the front bumper camera. While the 2024 Model 3 was expected to come with a front bumper camera, it was only ever available on the Cybertruck and will soon be available on the new 2025 Model Y.

This is similar to the physical connector for the front bumper camera present in newer iterations of the Model S and Model X computers. These vehicles were originally slated to get a bumper camera last year, but that hasn’t happened yet. We reported back in 2022 that they received the additional camera hook-ups but no camera.

Tesla recently issued a recall for the AI4 computer, citing physical and software issues that could cause a potential short on the board. According to Green, this board is not the recalled unit but could instead be a replacement unit. However, why the board includes a front bumper camera connection remains a mystery.

Not a Juniper FSD Computer

We know that this isn’t the correct part for the refreshed Model Y Juniper because it lacks a connector for the secondary rear screen in the upcoming model.

Additionally, Tesla has labeled this computer unit as “MY Reloaded” - previous versions of the computer for the Model Y were listed as just “MY.” In addition, all the other computer versions have been pulled from Tesla’s Electronic Parts Catalogue - only this one is now available as Part #2003160-S0-E.

The label with

@greentheonly on X

Speculation

This new FSD hardware doesn’t appear to match the current or new Model Y, so what could it be? Well, there are a few things here. Tesla wouldn’t bother populating that front bumper camera slot for no reason - and this computer is a slightly different form factor than the one that goes in the Model S and Model X - so they’re not just sharing parts between the Model S and Model Y.

The most likely scenario is that Tesla is planning to replace any faulty AI4 computers with this updated part. But could Tesla be open to offering a retrofit for the front bumper camera? It’s important to note that this is not the hardware upgrade that many HW3 owners are waiting for. It is a different form factor than the HW3 computer and wouldn’t fit in HW3 vehicles. If anything, this is a potential replacement for the AI4 computer to support forward compatibility if FSD ever requires a bumper camera.

The full computer.

@greentheonly on X

Bumper Camera Retrofit?

Is Tesla planning to offer a front bumper camera retrofit? Maybe. Tesla doesn’t typically offer retrofits. They did for several items in the past, but they have largely stopped doing so.

Tesla included a front bumper camera on the refreshed Model Y Juniper, as well as on the Cybertruck - and it could be extremely useful for both Actually Smart Summon and FSD to remove the frontal blind spot.

However, it could be an optional feature rather than a retrofit feature. Until FSD Unsupervised arrives, we won’t know for sure whether a bumper camera is required.

For now, it would be best to keep an eye on this. Just like the Model S and Model X having the slot populated, it may not necessarily happen, but it leaves the door open for a future upgrade if necessary.

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Tesla Announces Significant Price Increases Across Vehicles in Canada

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has announced steep price increases for its vehicles in Canada, with adjustments of up to CA$9,000 set to take effect on February 1, 2025. This move impacts nearly all models, with the Model 3 Performance trim seeing the steepest hike, rising from $70,990 to $79,990 Canadian. The Model Y, Model S, and Model X will each see a flat increase of CA$4,000 across all trims. Notably, the Cybertruck remains unaffected by these changes.

These price hikes coincide with the expiration of Canada’s federal EV incentive program, which previously offered CA$5,000 rebates on eligible vehicles, further increasing the price of Tesla vehicles.

Additionally, the Canadian dollar’s recent decline against the US dollar and looming trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada may have influenced Tesla’s decision. President Trump proposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, and Tesla may be expecting Canada to retaliate with a similar tariff on US goods. However, it’s interesting that Tesla has chosen to raise prices so drastically before any tariffs have been announced.

Price Increases

Buyers

This could be a critical time to act for prospective buyers, with the price increase going into effect in just about a week. Tesla’s online configurator allows customers to lock in current prices by placing an order before February 1st. The company’s referral program also offers CA$1,300 off Model Y, Model S, and Model X purchases, providing additional savings before the price hike takes effect.

It’s not clear how much these adjustments will impact Tesla sales in Canada. If the increases are related to an upcoming tariff, then they’ll impact other manufacturers as well. We may see a potential surge in orders ahead of the February 1 deadline, especially for the AWD and Performance variants of the new Model 3, which will see the largest increase.

The price increase is expected to impact the new Model Y as well, which was announced last night for North America and Europe. Deliveries for the new model begin in March.

If you’re on the fence about whether you should order a new Tesla, now may be a good time to place your order. Tesla offers the ability to cancel your order, but buyers would lose their deposit.

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