Tesla's AI Revolution: A Glimpse into the Future Through Isaacson's Lens and FSD V12

Tesla recently launched their new AI training cluster with 10,000 GPUs

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In a recent TIME article adapted from his forthcoming book on Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson gives us a rare look into the innovative strides Tesla is making in the realm of artificial intelligence. Musk's ambitions have consistently set him apart, and Isaacson provides intriguing details, such as Musk's original intent to merge Tesla with OpenAI.

Though the idea didn't pan out, Musk's unyielding vision saw him championing rival AI teams to birth a series of groundbreaking projects. With Tesla vehicles sending back "160 billion frames per day of video" of humans in diverse real-world situations, the scale and scope of the data being harnessed are staggering.

"Tesla's real-world AI is underrated," Musk emphasized, highlighting the company's edge in the AI race. He posed a challenging notion: "Imagine if Tesla and OpenAI had to swap tasks... Who wins? We do."

FSD V12: More than Just Code

The Full Self-Driving v12 live stream from Musk's phone to X has generated more than 45 million views. This wasn't merely an upgrade but a glimpse into a future where technology starts to mimic human intelligence and seamlessly intertwines with it all, thanks to the power of neural nets.

This evolution marks a radical departure for those tracking Tesla's technological trajectory. Musk revealed that they had scrapped over 300,000 lines of hard-coded programming from the car's neural networks to take the helm. The FSD V12's efficacy was laid bare as it tackled construction zones, speed bumps, roundabouts, and traffic with much more ease than we've seen in public releases. Musk encapsulated this transition with his apt exclamation, "This is all nets, baby, nothing but net."

Real-World Challenges & AI Nuances

But it's not just about making the car drive. As Musk demonstrated, it's about making it drive like a human — with all the nuances that come with that. From not jerking abruptly to finding a lane to the smoothness in transitioning from one traffic condition to another, the FSD V12 is designed to observe, learn, and replicate the best of human driving behavior. However, it also underscores the challenges of programming AI for real-world scenarios. As Musk explained, the sparse data on drivers coming to complete stops at stop signs poses an obstacle. With less than 0.5% of drivers fully adhering to this rule, it's a stark reminder that AI is navigating a world where humans often flout regulations.

Looking Ahead: AI & Beyond

Isaacson's insights, combined with the V12 showcase, hint at a future where Tesla isn't just leading the electric vehicle market but is also on the frontlines of the AI revolution. Musk's commitment to AI is evident as he navigates the complexity of running multiple ventures, from SpaceX to Neuralink and the much-anticipated xAI. The next chapter promises even more advancements. Isaacson's book release is tomorrow, September 12th.

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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

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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

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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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