Tesla Cybertruck's Beast Mode, BaseCamp, Lightbar, and Wheel Options Revealed

November 29, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

A 3D model of the Cybertruck's interior

olympusdev_

Anticipation for the Cybertruck has reached new heights with the latest iOS app update, discreetly unveiling some of the vehicle's most awaited features. The highlight is 'Beast Mode,' a feature Elon Musk had hinted at earlier. This mode is one of many new features discovered through the latest app update.

Beast Mode: Unleashing the Power

One of the most captivating discoveries within the app update is 'Beast Mode.' While the app update doesn't divulge many details, a visualization hints at its impressive capabilities. With a design reminiscent of the Plaid model's visualization, it's safe to assume that 'Beast Mode' will be exclusive to the tri-motor or Performance variant of the Cybertruck, promising exhilarating acceleration.

Musk confirmed Beast Mode during his previous appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. Musk said the company aimed for a 0-to-60 mph time of less than 3 seconds. If this holds, the Cybertruck might outrun some of the industry's most coveted sports cars.

Cybertruck Beast Mode pic.twitter.com/PGZIrHpJpy
— OlympusDev (@olympusdev_) November 28, 2023

Wheels for Every Terrain

Tesla is set to offer three different wheels for the Cybertruck

Tesla_app_iOS

The Cybertruck is set to cater to diverse preferences with its wheel options. The app update reveals at least three wheel choices. First, there is an 18-inch wheel equipped with standard all-season tires and smaller wheel covers. Next, a robust 20-inch wheel is adorned with all-terrain tires and larger wheel covers, which are commonly seen on test vehicles and showroom displays. The twist comes with the mention of "Premium" wheels, suggesting that the Performance variant might offer its unique set of wheels, yet to be unveiled.

BaseCamp: Adventure Awaits

A 3D model of a tent, called BaseCamp was found in the Tesla app

olympusdev_

Among the standout features exposed by the app update is 'BaseCamp,' an accessory that promises to enhance the Cybertruck's versatility. 'BaseCamp' appears to be a tent that attaches to the Cybertruck's vault, with tantalizing hints that it will include a mattress, creating a comfortable and rugged camping experience. While pricing details remain elusive, this accessory will appeal to those seeking outdoor adventures with their Cybertruck.

Updated User Interface

A closer look at the Cybertruck's UI

olympusdev_

Tesla appears to have created a user interface specifically for the Cybertruck and its massive screen.

In an image included in the app update, we get a good view at the Cybertruck's new UI. Earlier today, we broke down all the features of the new Cybertruck UI, from its 3D terrain to the multiple app columns.

Optional Light Bar

Many Cybertruck enthusiasts had hoped for an integrated light bar at the top of the windshield. While it didn't make it to production, Tesla appears ready to offer it as an optional accessory. The app update shows the availability of this much-anticipated feature, which has been spotted on some test Cybertrucks. Whether navigating off-road terrain or simply looking to make a statement, the optional light bar adds an exciting touch to the Cybertruck's exterior.

This wealth of information stemmed from the keen observations of X users @Tesla_App_iOS and @olympusdev_, who shared insights from the app update. As we approach its launch, these revelations underscore Tesla's commitment to innovation, versatility, and a forward-thinking approach to automotive design and functionality. The Cybertruck is not just a vehicle; it's a symbol of the future of transportation, and Tesla continues to lead the charge.

Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

December 13, 2024

By Karan Singh

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer.

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips.

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.

Is Tesla Close to Licensing FSD? GM Quits Cruise, BMW Praises Tesla

December 13, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

In a relatively surprising move, GM announced that it is realigning its autonomy strategy and prioritizing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) over fully autonomous vehicles.

GM is effectively closing Cruise (autonomous) and focusing on its Super Cruise (ADAS) feature. The engineering teams at Cruise will join the GM teams working on Super Cruise, effectively shuttering the fully autonomous vehicle business.

End of Cruise

GM cites that “an increasingly competitive robotaxi market” and “considerable time and resources” are required for scaling the business to a profitable level. Essentially - they’re unable to keep up with competitors at current funding and research levels, putting them further and further behind.

Cruise has been offering driverless rides in several cities, using HD mapping of cities alongside vehicles equipped with a dazzling array of over 40 sensors. That means that each cruise vehicle is essentially a massive investment and does not turn a profit while collecting data to work towards Autonomy.

Cruise has definitely been on the back burner for a while, and a quick glance at their website - since it's still up for now - shows the last time they officially released any sort of major news packet was back in 2019.

Competition is Killer

Their current direct competitor - Waymo, is funded by Google, which maintains a direct interest in ensuring they have a play in the AI and autonomy space.

Interestingly, this news comes just a month after Tesla’s We, Robot event, where they showed off the Cybercab and the Robotaxi network, as well as plans to begin deployment of the network and Unsupervised FSD sometime in 2025. Tesla is already in talks with some cities in California and Texas to launch Robotaxi in 2025.

GM Admits Tesla Has the Right Strategy

As part of the business call following the announcement, GM admitted that Tesla’s end-to-end and Vision-based approach towards autonomy is the right strategy. While they say Cruise started down that path, they’re putting aside their goals towards fully autonomous vehicles for now and focusing on introducing that tech in Super Cruise instead.

NEWS: GM just admitted that @Tesla’s end-to-end approach to autonomy is the right strategy.

“That’s where the industry is pivoting. Cruise had already started making headway down that path. We are moving to a foundation model and end-to-end approach going forward.” pic.twitter.com/ACs5SFKUc3
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 10, 2024

With GM now focusing on Super Cruise, they’ll put aside autonomy and instead focus solely on ADAS features to relieve driver stress and improve safety. While those are positive goals that will benefit all road users, full autonomy is really the key to removing the massive impact that vehicle accidents have on society today.

In addition, Super Cruise is extremely limited, cannot brake for traffic controls, and doesn’t work in adverse conditions - even rain. It can only function when lane markings are clear, there are no construction zones, and there is a functional web connection.

The final key to the picture is that the vehicle has to be on an HD-mapped and compatible highway - essentially locking Super Cruise to wherever GM has time to spend mapping, rather than being functional anywhere in a general sense, like FSD or Autopilot.

Others Impressed - Licensing FSD

Interestingly, some other manufacturers have also weighed into the demise of Cruise. BMW, in a now-deleted post, said that a demo of Tesla’s FSD is “very impressive.” There’s a distinct chance that BMW and other manufacturers are looking to see what Tesla does next.

BMW chimes in on a now-deleted post. The Internet is forever, BMW!

Not a Tesla App

It seems that FSD has caught their eyes after We, Robot - and that the demonstrations of FSD V13.2 online seem to be the pivot point. At the 2024 Shareholder Meeting earlier in the year, Elon shared the fact that several manufacturers had reached out, looking to understand what was required to license FSD from Tesla.

There is a good chance 2025 will be the year we’ll see announcements of the adoption of FSD by legacy manufacturers - similar to how we saw the surprise announcements of the adoption of the NACS charging standard.