Tesla is Creating a Voice Assistant to Replace Voice Commands [Example of Voice]

Tesla is working on a voice assistant

Not a Tesla App

It looks like Tesla may soon be replacing its archaic voice commands with something much more useful — a voice assistant.

Greentheonly, who often takes deep dives into Tesla software by decompiling the firmware and looking for changes, has now found the early integration of a voice assistant.

Voice Assistant Already Available in China

Tesla has already replaced its voice commands in China with a voice assistant that can not only control certain aspects of the vehicle using more natural language but can also answer common knowledge questions such as the current weather, stock quotes and more (video below).

Available Only on AMD?

Correction: Tesla’s voice assistant in China is only available on vehicles with AMD processors (MCU 3), and unfortunately not on older Intel-based (MCU 2) cars. If Tesla is utilizing the same core technologies in its upcoming voice assistant for other regions, we may see the same limitation.

Intel vehicles in China still use the voice command system we’re familiar with today.

Tesla Creating Own Assistant

According to Green's findings, it looks like Tesla may be rolling its own solution instead of integrating something like Amazon Alexa like Rivian has. Tesla created their own solution in China by using some of their own technology and several existing software solutions. However, some of them are only available in China so they don’t scale to support additional regions.

Grōk

The first thought that comes to mind is Tesla leaning on AI efforts by Grōk and xAI, which could help it support common knowledge questions and search the web for answers. However, that only gets Tesla partly there, as Alexa and Google Assistant already support a large ecosystem, one that may not be available if Tesla creates their own voice assistant. With Tesla’s solution, a driver may be limited to what devices they can control through the voice assistant, at least initially. Either way, just a more natural way to activate certain vehicle solutions will be an improvement over what’s available today. The ability to ask the assistant common questions will be the icing on top.

Wake Word

According to Green, the source code hinted at the voice assistant using a wake word, which would replace the need to press the scroll wheel on the steering wheel. Tesla has begun to use the left scroll wheel button for additional things lately such as wiper controls and a multi-function mode, so this may fit in with their plan.

It’s fun to speculate what the wake word would be or whether Tesla would add the ability to create your own. It could be something as simple as ‘Hey, Tesla’, ‘Grok’, or something more humorous as Tesla has a knack for. Unfortunately, there weren't any hints on what the actual wake word would be, but being able to set a destination, play a specific song or ask the assistant for the weather will be a much-needed improvement.

Supported Models

It's not clear which models Tesla would support a voice assistant, but with the release of software v12 with update 2024.14.3, Tesla is starting to leave more features out of older Intel-based vehicles. While a voice assistant may not necessarily be computationally heavy, it may depend on Tesla's implementation and whether voice commands are transcribed on device or carried over the internet for transcription.

Voice Model

In the software, there are references to Microsoft's text-to-speech technology and specifically to a voice named “Jenny Neutral.”

The “Jenny Neutral” voice seems like an acceptable voice, bringing a natural-sounding voice to Tesla's voice assistant, although it doesn't differ much from what you find on other assistants. You can view an example of Microsoft’s “Jenny Neutral” voice in the video below.

Tesla has been more mindful lately about adding information for unreleased features to its software to help prevent leaks, so by the time something like this is found by Green, it usually doesn't take long before it becomes available, although this could also make for an exciting Christmas present.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla's Robotaxi Event - We, Robot - Everything Announced

Sawyer Merrit on X

Did you miss Tesla’s biggest event since its inception? No worries, we have you covered.

We’ve got a straightforward and easy-to-digest recap below, split and organized by sections. Of course, we’ll dive into some of the bigger subjects in detail over the upcoming days, so stay tuned!

Event Info

• Tesla’s We, Robot event was centered on the future of autonomy

• 5 “neighbourhoods” were created

• Westworld offered Texas BBQ and the stage for the event

• Metropolis had arcade games, and the ability to take a swing at Cybertruck

• TSLA Theater had pizza and desserts, as well as a movie on a gigantic screen

• New York brought a block party with live music and street performers, as well as street snacks

• Finally, the last area was Merch – which, surprise – offered Tesla Merch, including gear, apparel, posters, and more

• Elon Musk arrived in style in a Robotaxi to kick off the event

Master Plan Part 4 Reference Poster

Jowua on X

General/Master Plan Part 4

• The event made multiple references to Master Plan Part 4, but we haven’t seen the official document yet

• Today’s transportation infrastructure is too expensive, not safe, and not sustainable

• 10 hours a week of use of consumer vehicles out of 168 hours a week

• Unsupervised Full Self Driving – Fall asleep and wake up at your destination

• Increased free time for humans

• Goal is to remove parking lots, as less will be needed in the future of autonomous vehicles

• Create green space in the cities we live in

AI Poster

Jowua on X

Robotaxi/Cybercab

Not a Tesla App

• The Cybercab has 2 doors, 2 seats, and is a 4-wheeler, as expected

• It has a front and rear lightbar, similar to Cybertruck

• Painted aluminum (not stainless steel)

• No rear or top glass

• No steering wheel or pedals

• Butterfly doors

• Large center screen

• Has large, hatch-like trunk

• 20 vehicles produced and ready at the event, with 30 additional Model Ys

• Autonomous vehicles will be 10x safer than humans

• Low cost for autonomous transit; $1/mi for buses, Cybercab around $0.2/mi ($0.4 after taxes and fees)

• Will be available for purchase

• Will cost below $30,000 USD

• One person will be able to take care of a small fleet easily

• Cybercab production begins before 2027

• Comes with inductive charging

• Tesla Social Media mentioned Fleet Management software

• Tesla showed off an automated cleaning system in the video, vacuuming the vehicle, wiping the seats and screens

• CyberCab will still be Vision-only, no need for radar or LiDAR

• Call it once, and its available for you all day, for either quick trips or long trips

Elon Musk Poster

Sawyer Merrit on X

RoboVan

• Tesla showed off a fully autonomous RoboVan with no front window

• Up to 20 people or can be set up for goods transport

• RoboVan has a Cyber aesthetic as well

• Large glass sliding doors

• Tesla seems to be going all-in on this aesthetic for its future vehicles

• RoboVan can be adapted to school bus or RV use

• RoboVan can also be adapted for personal use – this suggests it could be outfitted with a steering wheel and pedals

The CyberVan arriving

Not a Tesla App

AI and Hardware

• Unsupervised FSD in Texas and California in 2025, with Model 3 and Model Y

• Unsupervised FSD for S, X, and CT in the future

• AI has lived “a million lives” so it’s been trained on numerous odd situations

• Always pays attention and is always fully aware of its surroundings

• 10-30x safer than humans

• Focus on Tesla Vision – full autonomy, unsupervised for S, 3, X, Y, and CT

• Cybercab will have AI5, will have oversized compute compared to what’s required according to Musk

• Distributed inference compute brought up again

• No news on inductive charging for other vehicles

The Optimus Poster

Jowua on X

Optimus

• Optimus was brought out on stage again, walked with remote human assistance

• Attendees were allowed to interact with Optimus robots

• Optimus robots served drinks at the bar

• Expected to cost $20K-$30K USD

• Will eventually be an autonomous robotic assistant that can help with household tasks

• It can also be a humanoid friend, teacher, babysitter, etc.

• Elon mentioned the risks of AI Super Intelligence, and having to address it

• At the event, people could talk and interact with the Optimus units on the ground. Optimus movements were remotely assisted by humans. The robots voices also appear to have be humans that were in a remote location.

• Guests were not allowed to touch the Optimus units in the crowd

Another poster referencing Master Plan IV.

Jowua on X

If you missed the event, you can watch it below.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla 'We, Robot' Robotaxi Event: How and Where to Watch [Updated]

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s Robotaxi event is coming up later today, and there’s lots of hype. It’s absolutely going to be a must-see event, so we’ve outlined how you can watch it tonight.

We’re even running a Robotaxi Event Prediction Contest – so go sign up to win some prizes from our fantastic sponsors.

If you weren’t one of the lucky lottery winners who managed to snag a ticket, there are a few ways to watch the Robotaxi event.

When

Tesla says the event will start at 10 PM EST or 7 PM PST. However, expect it to start fashionably late as usual. The agenda Tesla has provided is below.

Watch Live

The event is expected to be available on X, YouTube, and Tesla’s website. The links for X and YouTube are below. We’ll update this as the day goes along and Tesla adds additional sources.

• Watch the Robotaxi event live on X.

• Watch on YouTube (below)

Agenda

This is the agenda Tesla has provided. All times are PST.

3:00 PM: Parking Lot Opens

5:00 PM: Doors Open

5:30 PM: Check-In Begins

7:00 PM: Remarks

Watch in Tesla Showrooms

Tesla is also running events at its local showrooms worldwide. Many of these pop-up events have been organized by the Tesla showrooms or in conjunction with local Tesla Owner’s Club groups.

You can go to Tesla’s Events Page here and see if there are any showrooms open in your region. These events are in-person, and a good way to hang out with local Tesla fans and owners to watch one of the biggest events in Tesla’s history. If you don’t see an event listed, try calling your local Tesla showroom or contacting your local Owner’s Club. Other events may be running locally that you could attend.

Location

Warner Brothers Studios

3499 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 90068

Follow

Follow

Follow