Tesla adds new features in app update 4.3

Tesla has updated their iOS app to version 4.3. Tesla has been on a roll with its app updates lately, recently introducing Sentry Mode Live Access, adjust scheduled charging, widgets and more.

This update continues Tesla's recent trend and introduces various new features.

You can now customize the Quick Action buttons

New Notifications

You can now choose to turn on notifications when Cabin Overheat Protection is activated. You can also choose to turn on or off notifications when your car is done preconditioning.

Tesla App 4.3 gives you more control over notificationss

Customizable Quick Actions

You'll now be able to customize the quick action buttons that show up underneath the car.

The app still limits you to four buttons, but it allows you to swap out any of the existing buttons for just about any function the app can control. You can set a quick action button for the trunk, defrost, Sentry Mode and many more.

If you'd like to make room for an additional quick action button, you can remove the Charge button and replace it with a button of your chosing. You can then access the charging section by tapping the battery icon instead.

Adjust Cabin Overheat Protection

Another new feature is the ability to adjust your Cabin Overheat Protection. Cabin Overheat Protection allows your car to try to keep the interior temperature under 105° F by either using the HVAC fan or air conditioner.

The three options are to turn off Cabin Overheat Protection, try to cool using only the fan, or cool using the air conditioner.

You can now customize the Quick Action buttons

Using the air conditioner option will do the best job in keeping the cabin cooler, but could result in significant battery usage on hot summer days.

Many users are unable to access the ability to adjust the Cabin Overheat Protection setting. It looks like this feature may require your car to have update 2021.40.5 or later in order to function.

It looks like the Cabin Overheat Protection options will appear in the Climate section of the app. They should appear within the slide up drawer, next to the Defrost and Bioweapon Defense Mode buttons.

Widget Improvements

The app widgets have also been improved and now feature the same quick action buttons that you define within the app.

Pressing on a quick action button within the widget will open the app and execute the function automatically. Some functions have confirmations, such as defrost. Once the app is opened, you'll need to confirm that you want to turn on the defrost function.

Tesla releases version 4.3 of its iOS app

Sentry Mode Live Access

Sentry Mode Live Access enables you to view live video feeds from the car's cameras directly on your phone. The feature has been available in previous iOS app updates, but Tesla is calling out it's functionality in this update as well.

Sentry Mode Live Access doesn't appear to contain any new features with this update.

Ability to Unlock Supercharger Floor Locks

In China Tesla uses floor locks on Supercharger parking spots to prevent other vehicles from parking in those spots. Up until today, it required a Tesla owner to scan a QR code on the lock in order to lower the lock and allow you to charge. With this app update, Tesla is now allowing you to unlock the Supercharger spot within the app.

Superchargers in China have floor locks

It's a great update for individuals living in China, but these floor locks are unlikely to be expanded to other regions as Tesla starts allowing non-Teslas to charge at Supercharger locations.

Tesla Taiwan testing out new supercharger ground locks solution to fix ICE issues. A camera identifies the Tesla via plate number as the car backs up and unlocks accordingly. @elonmusk @tesla pic.twitter.com/tFU1twMBdg

— Tesla Owners Taiwan (@TeslaOwnersTwn) February 14, 2019

If you're an iPhone user, you can update your Tesla app to 4.3 by visiting the App Store.

The app is not on the official Play Store for Android yet, but it should be released soon.

It will finally include Sentry Mode Live Access and the updates to quick actions and more described above.

You'll be able to download the updated Tesla app from the Google Play Store when it becomes available soon.

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Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

Not a Tesla App

For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series. 

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

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

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.

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