Tesla has begun construction of its diner and drive-in Supercharger combo
@HowardModels
Tesla's innovative Supercharger site, which promises to fuse a diner and drive-in movie theater into the charging experience, is swiftly moving from vision to reality in Hollywood. Images posted by @HowardModels/X show vertical construction and groundwork signaling the initial phases of a unique Tesla ecosystem.
Innovative Amalgamation: Fusing Retro Flair with Futuristic Charging
Imagine pulling up to charge your Tesla, and instead of scrolling through your phone, you are whisked away into a cinematic experience reminiscent of 1950s Americana but powered by cutting-edge technology. This isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a leap into a new paradigm where sustainability meets showbiz.
Located at the coveted 7001 W. Santa Monica Boulevard address, this site is not just another pin on the map of Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. It's set to become a cultural fixture offering a throwback diner experience and modern-day drive-in theater. The two-story restaurant will cater to 218 diners, with the added allure of a rooftop seating area where patrons can take in movies on towering LED screens, blending nostalgia with Tesla's high-tech brand.
What began as Elon Musk's ambitious idea in 2018 is now rapidly taking shape. The planned facilities, open 24/7, will offer Tesla drivers and the public a place to recharge in more ways than one. With 32 Supercharger stalls and constant short video broadcasts, Tesla is setting the stage for what could become the most memorable charging stop yet.
Entertainment Charging: A Destination in Itself
Tesla has begun construction of its diner and drive-in Supercharger combo
Tesla
This Supercharger station is designed to be more than a mere waypoint. It is a token of Tesla's mission to enhance the EV ownership experience by offering drivers a place to relax and engage in an era when time spent at charging stations is an expected part of the journey. The site not only promises efficiency but also a refreshing entertainment twist to the otherwise mundane waiting times.
As the construction of this pioneering project continues, it encapsulates the spirit of Tesla's commitment to innovation. This isn't just about expanding infrastructure; it's about reimagining the future of EV charging stations. With every steel beam erected and every concrete slab poured Tesla is crafting a landmark that marries leisure with the lure of sustainable technology.
The Hollywood Supercharger is poised to redefine the norms of electric vehicle charging, making it an exciting and enjoyable pit stop that might become a social and cultural hub for Tesla enthusiasts and movie-goers alike.
Early November progress pics to Tesla Diner site. Vertical concrete structure, underground utilities being worked on. pic.twitter.com/XnOhmPSMEj
Coming to Rivian vehicles over a software update is Google Cast and YouTube support, which will allow for seamless, high-quality content streaming to Rivian vehicles.
This is a big step forward for Rivian’s software integration, especially compared to Tesla, which has yet to integrate native apps or release the long-rumored Tesla native app store.
Google Cast
Google Cast is Google’s version of Apple AirPlay which is supported in a variety of audio and video streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and more. By using a supported app, a user will be able to cast content directly to Rivian’s main 15.6” center screen.
Like Casting to a TV or Smart Device at home, this will allow you to play, pause, or skip back and forth using the vehicle’s touchscreen. Google Casting automatically pauses when the vehicle shifts into Drive.
Native YouTube App
Alongside Google Cast, Rivian is also bringing a native YouTube app to vehicles, enabling users to access YouTube’s video and music library from anywhere with a data connection. These features will be integrated right into Rivian’s vehicle operating system, which means they will receive regular software updates, and not be reliant on browser-based capabilities.
Similar to casting content, YouTube content will also automatically pause when the vehicle is shifted into Drive.
Tesla Equivalents
For the time being, there is no way to AirPlay or Cast video from a phone or tablet to Tesla’s front or rear screens. However, for some apps such as YouTube, you can send the video URL to the vehicle and have it open the YouTube app to that video.
To do this, open the YouTube app and find a video. Once you’d like to share it with the vehicle you can tap on share. You’ll then need to share it with the Tesla app which will then send it to your vehicle. On iPhones this requires you to scroll to the right and tap on More, which brings up the native sharing screen and has the Tesla app.
However, this is far more limited than including AirPlay or Google Cast support which will work for practically and video, even personal videos in your photo library.
Elon Musk mentioned back in 2016 that Tesla would add mirroring of phone apps to the center screen, but that has yet to materialize. More recently Musk mentioned a native X App coming to Tesla vehicles.
Tesla Theater
Tesla Theater allows users to stream videos from various platforms, including YouTube, but these are web-based applications, with no native applications available. This leaves some marked limitations on usability.
Tesla most recently announced in their 2024.14 update that the browser will be able to be expanded to full-screen mode when parked, enabling more access to streaming services on the web. Meanwhile, Google Cast and Apple Airplay continue to remain highly requested features.
The greatly anticipated FSD v12.4 is around the corner, with Elon Musk mentioning that it will be going to employees this weekend, with limited external testers next week.
Several significant improvements are coming with V12.4, which is being compared to the leap in performance that was previously seen between V12 and V11.
Improved Comfort and Reduced Interventions
There are quite a few improvements expected with V12.4, which Musk has said will be focused on user comfort by reducing hard accelerations and sudden braking. According to Musk, FSD v12.4 is also expected to have a 5-10x improvement in time between user interventions, which means that Tesla is rapidly approaching its goal for the Robotaxi announcement on August 8, 2024.
Steering Wheel Nag Removal
FSD V12.4 is expected to eliminate the steering wheel nag, as Musk confirmed its removal last week. The camera-based driver monitoring system will be taking over, providing a hands-free experience. These improvements will most likely benefit owners who have cabin cameras with infrared lights the most, while Tesla may continue to use steering wheel nag as a fallback mechanism.
Driverless Autopark
The second key feature that may be included in v12.4 will be Banish Autopark, previously known as Reverse Summon, allowing you to choose a parking spot, exit the vehicle and have the car park itself. Whether this feature makes it in v12.4 is yet to be seen, but Musk has mentioned that parking without a driver is coming soon.
Automatically Seek Parking Spot at Destination
Finally, your Tesla will now traverse a parking lot and automatically enter Autopark mode when arriving at a destination, according to a post from Musk.
Eligibility and Branch
Tesla recently added FSD v12.3.6 to the 2024.14 branch with updates 2024.14.5 and 2024.14.6. This makes it very likely that Tesla’s next FSD version will also be based on 2024.14, meaning that it will be available to any vehicle on 2024.14.x.
For users on update 2024.3.25, this means that they’ll receive all of the features included in updates 2024.8 and 2024.14, which should make it a massive update.
Release Date
Musk has mentioned that FSD V12.4 is going out to employee vehicles for internal testing this weekend, with external testing starting next week. The rollouts typically go slower than predicted but looks like we may see this begin shipping to customers by the end of the month.
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Tesla Android Project enables you to run Android apps in your Tesla. The platform is Open Source and you can deploy it on your own Raspberry Pi 4. Consider supporting the initiative by donating or purchasing the Compute Module 4 Bundle that delivers the best experience. Get $20 off by using the code: NotATeslaApp
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