Tesla has recently been making a spate of upgrades for legacy MCU1 vehicles, including FSD V12 for MCU1, but it also included a set of additional features in update 2024.26.3.1.
So let’s take a closer look at what Tesla has been cooking in the background for older vehicles!
Automatic Emergency Braking
Tesla has improved the Automatic Emergency Braking feature that was already available in MCU1 vehicles with upgrades from the 2023.12 software update, which includes automatic emergency braking while in reverse. What’s interesting is that although these features are available to other vehicles, they never made it into the release notes. Instead, we originally found them by searching through the 2023.12 owner’s manual. However, now that vehicles with MCU 1 are receiving the feature, Tesla decided to mention them in the release notes.
In the release notes Tesla states: “Automatic Emergency Braking now also works when your vehicle is in Reverse (R), not only in Drive (D). It applies the brakes if the vehicle detects an object in its path and a collision appears imminent.
Automatic Emergency Braking is on by default each time you drive.”
This specific upgrade likely also includes Automatic Emergency Braking for speeds over 100 mph in addition to working in reverse. AEB reduces the impact of collisions, reducing the likelihood of death or injury in a major collision. It’s fantastic to continue seeing Tesla focus on innovating in the safety department!
Reacting Perpendicular Vehicles
Another upgrade added to Automatic Emergency Braking recently was the addition of AEB reacting to perpendicular dangers (across) the vehicle path – for example, someone running a red light, or someone cutting you off. This is a huge improvement over the standard emergency braking that occurs for the vehicle in front. Tesla didn’t specifically call out this addition in the release notes for MCU 1 vehicles, but since those vehicles now seem capable of running the same AI model that powers FSD v12, we suspect this feature is also included.
In addition to FSD v12 and the Automatic Emergency Braking improvements, Tesla also made improvements to its Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. When an FCW event occurs, the vehicle will now produced haptic feedback in addition to the audible and visual warnings.
These upgrades to Automatic Emergency Braking require HW3, which is a free upgrade for these vehicles from HW2 if the owner bought FSD.
At the end of the day, Tesla is clearly showing its commitment to continue to improve its vehicles – even older ones. Some of these MCU 1 vehicles with Autopilot HW 3 (originally HW 2) go back as far as 2016. This is a big deal for those who have been worried about the upcoming AI4/Hardware 3 divergence in FSD. Tesla’s continued work on older hardware is promising for users of Hardware 3 vehicles and MCU1 vehicles alike.
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In Tesla’s upcoming update, 2024.32.3, Tesla has added hands-free support for opening the vehicle’s frunk. This follows the Spring Update (2024.14), which added Hands-Free Trunk support for certain vehicles.
When hands-free trunk support was added earlier this year, it was supported on vehicles that include an ultra wideband chip, which includes the refresh Model S, new Model X, and the 2024 Model 3. Due to the hardware requirement, these will be the same vehicles that support the new Hands-Free Frunk feature. Legacy vehicles without UWB will unfortunately not support either feature due to the hardware requirement. UWB enables far more accurate tracking of the phone key, allowing Tesla to pinpoint its exact location relative to the vehicle.
The Cybertruck interestingly also includes an ultra wideband chip, however, it didn’t include the automatic opening of the gate earlier this year. However, we expect the Cybertruck to also receive the hands-free frunk opening in this 2024.32.3 update or relatively soon afterward.
Update: The Cybertruck is receiving hands-free frunk support in the 2024.32 update as well.
Hands-Free Frunk
The Hands-Free Frunk works similarly to the trunk feature – with an iPhone 11+ and a recent version of the app, you’ll be able to stand in front of your vehicle, and the Frunk will unlatch after sounding a chime. On some vehicles, the frunk will immediately open after being unlatched, however, you’ll need to manually close it.
This new feature isn’t enabled by default – you’ll need to go to Settings > Locks > Hands-Free Frunk to enable it.
At this time, Tesla doesn’t support UWB on Android devices, though both the Hands-Free Trunk and Hands-Free Frunk support will come to Android users in a future app update, according to Tesla.
Exclude Home
With the addition of the hands-free frunk opening, Tesla has also added a new option. You can now choose to disable the automatic opening when your vehicle is located at home to prevent you from accidentally opening. This will apply to the automatic frunk and trunk. In addition, in the Model X, you’ll also be able to disable the self-presenting doors at home. This is a great addition as many people have kept the hands-free feature disabled due to it awkwardly opening in the garage.
In the 2024.32.3 update, Tesla also mentions that they’ve improved the detection of the phone key, which should make the feature more reliable and faster when approaching the vehicle from the front or rear.
Following its recent launch in the United States and Canada, Tesla has launched their referral program in several European countries as well.
The program is available in Germany, Norway, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and possibly others. The program is almost the same as the one available today in North America, with rewards for each referral and a discount for those referred. The cap in Europe is also ten per year.
This program comes right on the heels of a 0% financing offer for the Model Y in Sweden and France. While referrals aren't currently available in Sweden, the 0% financing still is.
European Referrals
The European Referral program accounts for country and local currency, where applicable.
Country
Referral Discount
Referral Award
UK
£1,000
£500
Germany, France, Netherlands
€1,000
€500
Norway
kr11,500
kr5,750
The referral reward program is comparable to the one available in North America. After exchange rates, there is only an approximately 10% difference between the available rewards in the US and EU.
Other Countries
We expect this program to start rolling out to other European countries over the next few days or weeks, as Tesla continues to expand its referral program.
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