A Look at Tesla Update 2024.44: New Blind Spot Monitoring Feature, Supercharger Improvements

A reconstructed image of Tesla's blind spot monitoring feature

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Tesla recently released their next update, version 2024.44, to employees. While the update hasn’t passed employee testing yet, thanks to a reader, we have our first look at the features in Tesla’s next major update.

Keep in mind that this is not Tesla’s Christmas update but simply the update before the big holiday extravaganza. The holiday update is expected to be version 2024.44.25 and will bring additional features.

The release notes were translated into English, so they may differ slightly when the update is released. These features are also for a 2024 Model 3 in Europe, so there may be additional changes that are restricted to other regions or specific to other models.

Cold Weather Improvements

I’m not sure we ever want to see “Cold Weather Improvements” after that’s all we saw in our release notes for six months a couple of years ago, but Tesla has added some Supercharging improvements in colder weather in this update.

Thanks to improvements to the battery’s management system, the vehicle will now Supercharge faster. It sounds like Tesla will now prioritize warming up the battery for faster Supercharging in cold weather.

In addition, Tesla’s automatic defogging feature has been improved before and after using a Supercharger.

The translated release notes say:

“Battery Preconditions have been improved to provide better Supercharging, as well as better automatic windshield defogging before, during, and after Supercharging.”

Trailer Friendly Superchargers

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This has been a hotly requested feature for those who tow, and Tesla has been installing tow-friendly Supercharger spots around the world near highways. Unhooking your trailer just to charge is annoying, especially if it’s cold outside. We’re excited to see this one show up—it’ll be a boon for those who tow regularly. Tesla describes the feature in the release notes as:

“You can now see if a Supercharger has trailer-compatible spaces. Tap a Supercharger location pin on the map to see if it is trailer-friendly. If your vehicle is in Tow Mode, trailer-friendly Supercharger locations will appear at the top of the list.”

Blind Spot Warning While Parked

In the release notes, Tesla states:

“If you try to open a door while an approaching object is detected in your blind spot (e.g. a cyclist or other vehicle), the blind spot warning light will flash, an audio warning will sound, and the door will not open on the first press of the bottom. Wait, and then press the button again to override the warning.”

In Tesla’s 2024.26.9 update, Tesla added a feature very similar to this exclusively in China. This appears to be the same feature that’s already available in China and is now available for other regions with some improvements.

Tesla says that if a vehicle door handle button is pressed, the vehicle’s Blind Spot Warning Light (currently the 2024 Model 3 and the Cybertruck) near the front speaker will illuminate.

Instead of relying on the blind spot warning light, Tesla has now added an audible tone when a driver or passenger tries to open the door, and an object is in the way.

This object detection includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and “other objects.” We’re not quite sure what fits into the “other objects” category, but likely things that FSD picks up on normally – including traffic cones, bollards, and other large obstacles.

If you try to open your door and there’s an object in the way, the vehicle will sound a warning and the door won’t open. If you press it again, then you’ll override the warning and the vehicle door will open. However, this will only happen with the electronic door buttons and not the mechanical lever in the front doors.

This feature will be optional. Users can enable or disable it under Controls > Safety. What’s not clear is whether this feature will only be available for the Cybertruck and the 2024 Model 3, which feature the blind spot warning lights in the front speaker grills, or if Tesla will add it to all vehicles with some sort of on-screen warning.

Many people requested this feature after seeing a viral video of a Mercedes vehicle doing something similar. Well, Tesla has done it with a simple software update rather than a model year revision, so kudos to the Tesla AI team for keeping both vehicle occupants and other road users safe.

Other Updates

Tesla has included other small improvements in update 2024.44, which include:

• Improved battery energy estimation for better accuracy during your drives.

• Navigation voiceovers are now available in Czech. Go to Controls > Display > Language to change the voiceover language.

• Battle for Polytopia has received the Aquarion Rework Update. Amphibious mermaids can assault both land and sea, while sharks, jellies, and forgotten cities are at the bottom of the ocean.

• Important security measures and improvements have been added.

• Minor fixes and performance improvements.

Release Date

The Tesla 2024.38 update has started rolling out in large waves recently. Currently, about 27% of the Tesla fleet has access to the update.

Keep in mind that this upcoming version is not Tesla’s holiday update, which will likely come in update 2024.44.25. Tesla typically releases their big Christmas update with a “202x.44.25” version. This coming update will be the last update for Tesla owners before the Christmas update, which is expected to be filled with new features, including Apple Watch support.

We expect this 2024.44 update to start rolling out to the public in the next week or two.

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Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

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The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

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Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

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