Tesla Makes Improvements to Camera Clarity [Video] [Update: Now in update 2023.32]

By Kevin Armstrong
FSD Beta 11.4.7 includes improved processing for camera feeds
FSD Beta 11.4.7 includes improved processing for camera feeds

Tesla has recently released the FSD Beta version 11.4.7 to a broader range of customer testers, and many Tesla owners are already observing notable enhancements in the side repeater cameras. The interesting twist to the story is that many believed the new images that were surfacing were produced by newer vehicles equipped with HW4's higher resolution cameras, but that is not the case.

Musk Confirms Enhancement

@WholeMarsBlog questioned Elon Musk on whether advanced post-processing was integrated into the improved camera views in FSD Beta 11.4.7 (release notes). During a conversation on X Spaces, Musk confirmed that software had been employed to enhance the camera previews. The FSD 11.4.7 update brought with it refined post-processing, resulting in a more precise white balance, color balance and much sharper images when drivers view the side cameras while on the road. This is a marked improvement compared to the previous FSD Beta 11.4.6 version.

Before & After Video Comparison

Everything Looks Better with Update

Mike, a Tesla enthusiast from CyberOwners.com, underscored the substantial improvements he noticed in his 2019 Model 3 after updating to FSD beta 11.4.7. He enthusiastically described the update as an “amazing improvement” in the performance of the turn signal cameras compared to the earlier version.

Although Mike did not review the dashcam, he mentioned that the rear camera performance, which was already satisfactory, has been further refined. “Rear looks great... of course, rear already looked good compared to the repeaters,” Mike stated during a discussion on platform X. He also lauded the software update for rectifying the “proper color balance,” a recurrent issue with the older cameras.

This progress is especially significant considering Mike’s Model 3 is a 2019 version equipped with older cameras, notorious for their “light bleed at night.” Tesla has since rectified this hardware issue in recent models. This suggests that Tesla’s software development team concentrates on enhancing new models and is dedicated to optimizing the performance of older vehicles.

Chuck Cook, another tester, also demonstrated the camera enhancements of FSD beta 11.4.7. While acknowledging that the locations and lighting in his comparison were slightly different, Cook noted additional processing was evident.

This is an incredible software enhancement for cameras that have a resolution of 1.2 megapixels. The new cameras are 5 megapixels, which means that advanced hardware mixed with the new software will make for crystal clear images. This makes sense. The car must have the best visual inputs, considering that Tesla is moving toward “nothing but nets” FSD, relying solely on what the car sees and not how it is coded.

Update: A big question on everyone's mind was whether these camera feed improvements would roll out to non-FSD updates. Since they weren't explicitly related to FSD Beta, it would be likely that they would eventually be merged into Tesla's main branches, but the question remained — when? We're now seeing several reports that these camrea improvements are included in Tesla's latest update, version 2032.32.1.

Tesla’s More Affordable Vehicle Update: Q1 2025

By Karan Singh
@DominicBRNKMN/X

Alongside the many things we learned about Unsupervised FSD and the Robotaxi program, we also got to find out a little more about Tesla’s more affordable vehicle in the Q1 2025 Earnings Call.

There has been extensive reporting on what the long-anticipated affordable EV option would become, and we’ve seen numerous news stories mentioning that it was delayed or even arriving on time. The executive team revealed the near-term and long-term plans for Tesla’s upcoming vehicles, and there’s definitely good news to share here.

Updated Timeline

The most important piece of news is that despite all the talk of delays from supposed inside sources, Tesla has confirmed that the plan for its more affordable model remains on schedule for production to begin in the first half of 2025. Tesla’s executive team narrowed that timeline down further - and said that they expect production to kick off as soon as June and that the new model will be in the market shortly thereafter.

While the production timeline itself is on track, Tesla did note that the subsequent ramping process will likely be slower than initially hoped, citing global tariff and financial impacts as challenges to overcome to prepare its production lines.

Hybrid Production Approach

Tesla has once again confirmed that this will not be their next-generation vehicle, built using new production methods. Instead, they outlined a relatively more pragmatic approach for this new model.

Tesla will utilize aspects of both the next-generation platform as well as some parts of its current platforms (namely the Model 3 and Model Y). This means that Tesla will produce this new vehicle on the same manufacturing lines as the Model 3 and Model Y.

This strategy allows Tesla to bring the vehicle to the market more quickly, while also managing capital expenditures more efficiently by using existing infrastructure. However, Tesla’s executive team also noted that this approach, while faster, will result in fewer cost reductions than what might have been achieved with an entirely new platform and dedicated manufacturing process.

Vehicle Design

Using these existing production lines means that Tesla’s new vehicle will likely share some considerable similarities with either the existing Model 3 or Model Y. Rather than being a radically different and smaller vehicle, this new model will resemble the overall form factor and shape of Tesla’s current core offerings, while being optimized for a lower cost.

This doesn’t mean that Tesla is forgetting the overall goal here. Their ultimate goal is to reduce the initial cost of ownership and lower monthly payments for customers while maintaining a standard of excellence and safety.

Not Unboxed

Both at this Earnings Call and previous ones, Tesla has indicated that this new vehicle will not be using the innovative unboxed assembly method, at least for the time being. That relatively unique method will be developed and implemented specifically for the purpose-built Cybercab and for future vehicles on the next-generation platform.

We’re just a few days away from May, so it won’t be long before we see more about this upcoming vehicle. Stay tuned.

U.S. Announces New Autonomous Vehicle Framework and What It Means for Tesla

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

In a follow-up move to the current US administration’s goals to introduce a federal framework for autonomous vehicles, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is loosening autonomy restrictions following an announcement from Secretary Sean Duffy on X. This new initiative helps streamline complex regulatory processes and foster home-grown innovation.

Automated Vehicle Framework

As part of the broader upcoming USDOT Innovation Agenda, the newly unveiled AV Framework is designed to promote American innovation and strengthen domestic engineering while maintaining existing safety standards. The framework centers around three key principles:

  • Prioritize Safety

  • Unleash Innovation

  • Enable Commercial Deployment

To kickstart this AV framework, USDOT announced two initial steps focused on streamlining processes and expanding opportunities.

Crash Reporting Requirements

Under the first principle to Prioritize Safety, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) will maintain its Standing General Order requiring crash reporting on Advanced and Automated Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS and ADS). 

However, the reporting process will be streamlined following feedback from AV innovators, likely including Tesla. The goal here is to focus on collecting critical safety information while removing unnecessary or duplicative items from the reporting process, thereby reducing the burden without compromising safety.

Cutting Red Tape

Directly tied to the second principle of Unleash Innovation, the framework also seeks to slash red tape. The first step here is the expansion of the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program, or AVEP. This program allows manufacturers to petition for temporary exemptions from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for testing or deployment purposes.

Previously, the standard excluded domestically produced vehicles. Now, domestically produced AVs will not need to meet FMVSS, which will broaden the scope for manufacturers to test more innovative and unique designs and technologies.

Single National Standard for AVs

Finally, tied to the third principle of Enable Commerical Development, USDOT intends to move the United States closer to a single national standard for autonomous vehicles. This aims to prevent a confusing and inefficient patchwork of state-level or city-level laws and regulations, which can create hurdles for companies attempting to innovate, deploy, and scale their technology.

A unified standard across the United States also means that Canada and Mexico will likely be able to follow, as they share homologization standards across North America, including for vehicle crash safety and some autonomy regulations.

What This Means for Tesla

These framework changes will likely have a substantial impact on Tesla. The move towards a national standard is potentially the most impactful change, as Tesla identified regulatory hurdles as one of the most significant challenges it will face with the deployment of both Unsupervised FSD and its Robotaxi network.

The reduction of FMVSS requirements and streamlined reporting will likely play a role in the future as well. The FMVSS requirements are probably already being worked on, if not already met, by the Cybercab and other vehicles in Tesla’s lineup.

Meanwhile, the streamlined reporting will be helpful once Tesla officially launches its Robotaxi network in June.

You can read the official press release on the announcement here.

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

More Tesla News

Tesla Videos

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter