FSD Beta 10.11 now going out to public testers

New vector lanes

@MarkHalleyPhd/Twitter

Tesla's latest FSD Beta, v10.11 is now going out to public testers. The beta is version 2022.4.5.15. For FSD Beta testers, it'll be the first update they receive that's based on a 2022 release.

Earlier this month Elon tweeted that the beta may go out as early as this past Tuesday. However, he then followed up that it was instead going to go out this past weekend.

Over the weekend we saw FSD Beta 10.11 go out to several employees, which Tesla uses as a final testing phase before releasing to the public.

Today we're finally seeing several public testers getting this build, but it may be a while before it goes out to everyone. Tesla looks at the release carefully as it's going out and can choose to slow it down, speed it up or stop it completely to fix any issues.

When Elon spoke about the next FSD Beta, he mentioned FSD Beta 10.12. This beta is version 10.11. It's not clear whether there was a misunderstanding or whether Tesla initially planned to increment the version.

However, this is a completely new beta for all public testers and it appears to be packed with improvements.

The most notable improvements appear to be new vector-based lanes and reduced slowdowns. An example of the new vector-based lanes is below. In addition to clearer lane markings, it appears that the whole lane will also be highlighted in blue when the car starts to perform a lane change.

New vector lanes

@MarkHalleyPhd/Twitter

This beta is expected to hit Canada for the first time according to Elon, but there are no signs yet of it going north of the border.

Tesla will likely monitor it for several days in the US before releasing it to our northern neighbor.

The complete FSD Beta release notes are below:

- Upgraded modeling of lane geometry from dense rasters ("bag of points") to an autoregressive decoder that directly predicts and connects "vector space" lanes point by point using a transformer neural network. This enables us to predict crossing lanes, allows computationally cheaper and less error prone post-processing, and paves the way for predicting many other signals and their relationships jointly and end-to-end.

- Use more accurate predictions of where vehicles are turning or merging to reduce unnecessary slowdowns for vehicles that will not cross our path.

- Improved right-of-way understanding if the map is inaccurate or the car cannot follow the navigation. In particular, modeling intersection extents is now entirely based on network predictions and no longer uses map-based heuristics.

- Improved the precision of VRU detections by 44.9%, dramatically reducing spurious false positive pedestrians and bicycles (especially around tar seams, skid marks, and rain drops). This was accomplished by increasing the data size of the next-gen autolabeler, training network parameters that were previously frozen, and modifying the network loss functions. We find that this decreases the incidence of VRU-related false slowdowns.

- Reduced the predicted velocity error of very close-by motorcycles, scooters, wheelchairs, and pedestrians by 63.6%. To do this, we introduced a new dataset of simulated adversarial high speed VRU interactions. This update improves autopilot control around fast-moving and cutting-in VRUs.

- Improved creeping profile with higher jerk when creeping starts and ends.

- Improved control for nearby obstacles by predicting continuous distance to static geometry with the general static obstacle network.

- Reduced vehicle "parked" attribute error rate by 17%, achieved by increasing the dataset size by 14%. Also improved brake light accuracy.

- Improved clear-to-go scenario velocity error by 5% and highway scenario velocity error by 10%, achieved by tuning loss function targeted at improving performance in difficult scenarios.

- Improved detection and control for open car doors.

- Improved smoothness through turns by using an optimization-based approach to decide which road lines are irrelevant for control given lateral and longitudinal acceleration and jerk limits as well as vehicle kinematics.

- Improved stability of the FSD Ul visualizations by optimizing ethernet data transfer pipeline by 15%.

- Improved recall for vehicles directly behind ego, and improved precision for vehicle detection network.

Release Notes Explained

Here is a great video that explains Tesla's technical release notes and what improvements you can find in this release.

In addition to the improvements in this FSD Beta, testers can also expect to find these other features that were added in the 2022.4 update.

Range Display Calibration for LFP batteries

If you have a SR+ with an LFP battery, then you'll also receive this feature that charges your car to 100% to help improve battery calibration. LFP batteries have very similar voltages from a low state of charge to a high state of charge. If the battery isn't regularly charged to 100%, it can be difficult for the vehicle to know its state of charge, which could cause some issues.

Cabin Camera

Tesla is collecting additional analytics from the cabin camera to help develop additional features. Tesla is asking you to opt-in to cabin camera analytics if you'd like to help develop new features.

There's no word on what these new features may be, but it could be just about anything, such as the ability to send you a notification if it detects an animal in your car and you forgot to turn on Dog Mode.

Car Colorizer

We're probably all familiar with this feature by now that allows you to alter the exterior color of your vehicle. The color you pick is used in the car's visualizations, car menus and in the Tesla app. You can also view a video of Tesla's Car Colorizer feature.

Audio Sources

The ability to disable certain audio sources comes back in 2022.4. If there are audio sources that you don't use, such as TIDAL, Spotify, or TuneIn, you can now disable them.

When an audio source is disabled, it won't appear in the More Apps menu or in the Sources dropdown.

Icons in the Status Bar

2022.4 was released quite a while ago, so it's easy for FSD Beta testers to forget everything that is in this release and why they should be excited.

Some icons are now returning to the car's top status bar, such as Driver Profiles (while in park) and the Sentry Mode icon.

Save Dashcam Clips

You can now more easily save dashcam clips if you have the Dashcam viewer in your launcher. Since the dashcam viewer can't be used while driving, the icon now has a dual purpose. If you tap it while in Drive, your car will save the last ten minutes of footage.

Regenerative Braking in Autopilot

Additional regenerative braking is now used in Autopilot, which will be especially useful in FSD. The vehicle previously used regenerative braking while on AP, but it will now apply it at lower speeds that better match how a driver would use regenerative braking.

Windshield Wiper Defrost

If you have a new Tesla that was built in the past few months, then it may have windshield wiper heaters. If it does, then this is the software update that enables it.

Nearby Superchargers

You can once again view nearby Superchargers in the same way you could in Tesla's v10 software. The Superchargers icon now appears on the far side just like it used to.

This FSD Beta release is an exciting one that includes many new features with the updated FSD Beta build and in the public 2022.4 release. You can also view the full 2022.4 release notes.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla's Project E41: New Model Y With 20% Cost Reduction Coming in 2026

Not a Tesla App

According to Chinese blog posts from earlier last week, now vetted by Reuters, Tesla intends to produce a cut-down version of the Model Y, initially for the Chinese market, sometime in 2026.

This follows the launch of Tesla’s cut-down Model 3 for Mexico, as well as news that Tesla intends to launch their new next-gen model sometime in the near future.

Cut Down, But How?

The new Model Y, internally referred to as Project E41, is designed to lower the entry price of Tesla’s popular SUV—one of the most compelling options on the market due to its size, range, and versatility, especially following the launch of the refreshed Model Y.

To achieve this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to reduce the Model Y’s total cost by nearly 20%, according to reports from China. While exact changes remain unknown, we can make informed guesses based on the cost-saving measures Tesla implemented in the scaled-down Model 3 for Mexico.

Textile Seats and Trim

One of the most noticeable changes in the cost-cut version of the Model 3 in Mexico was the removal of vegan leather throughout the interior. In its place, Tesla opted for a durable textile fabric for the seats, reducing material costs. Additionally, any Alcantara trim pieces were replaced with the same textile in various areas.

No Heated or Cooled Seats

Another major cost-cutting measure was the removal of heated and cooled seats, along with the heated steering wheel. While these feature reductions may seem minor, eliminating them reduces various things, such as electrical components, harnesses, and ductwork that are required for seat ventilation.

No Rear Screen

One of the more unexpected changes in the reduced-cost Model 3 was the removal of the rear screen, despite it being powered by the same front infotainment computer as the front display. Given that the screen functions primarily as an additional display rather than a standalone system, the cost to include it is extremely low. It’s one of those really smart additions Tesla has added that increases value for the consumer with minimal cost to Tesla.

Tesla is unlikely to redesign or modify the vehicle’s wiring harness for this change, meaning a rear screen could potentially be retrofitted later by the customer. Based on replacement part estimates, the screen likely costs Tesla between $5 and $20 per vehicle, which acts as a secondary monitor for the infotainment computer.

Ambient Lighting, Acoustic Glass, Speakers

The final set of changes also focuses on the interior. Tesla replaced the RGB-capable ambient lighting with a simpler white-only version—likely saving only a few dollars per vehicle. While this may seem like a minor and somewhat unexpected cut, it could serve as an upsell opportunity to the standard RWD variant.

Additionally, Tesla reduced the use of dual-pane acoustic glass, now limiting it to just the front windows and windshield. This change drastically cuts costs but also affects cabin noise levels. The dual-pane glass played a key role in making the refreshed Model Y noticeably quieter, so this downgrade will likely bring noise insulation closer to that of the original Model Y.

As for audio, Tesla scaled down the speaker system in the Mexican Model 3 from 17 speakers to just nine, while also removing the subwoofers and one of the audio amplifiers. While this cuts costs due to wiring and speakers, it also has a large impact on the audio quality in the vehicle.

Project E41 is Not the Next-Gen Model

It’s important to note that Project E41 is not the same as the upcoming, more affordable next-gen platform, which is internally referred to as Project Redwood. While Project E41 focuses on a reduced-cost version of the Model Y, Project Redwood is designed to test Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities, using their innovative unboxed assembly method to reduce both costs and production time. The goal is to create a vehicle that is smaller and more affordable, while also keeping it safe and capable of self-driving.

Tesla previously confirmed that they plan to unveil new models—distinct from cut-down versions of the Model 3 or Model Y—during their Q4 2024 Earnings Call. However, the executive team has been careful not to divulge too many details about the upcoming model during interviews. This suggests there may be a lot more that has yet to be unveiled.

Follow

Follow

Follow

The Original Design and Inspiration of the Tesla Cybertruck

Not a Tesla App

The Cybertruck is something that’s completely out of this world—so much so that when people are unfamiliar with it, their first reaction is often, “What is that?”

And stepping inside only reinforces that impression. With its hidden-button doors and sleek, futuristic interior, the Cybertruck truly feels like something from another world. Recently, Tesla’s Chief Vehicle Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, revealed that an image shared by the official Cybertruck account on X is actually the original sketch that inspired its radical design.

Many Iterations

The Cybertruck has undergone numerous design iterations, and we’ve had the chance to explore some of Tesla’s earliest concepts for a truck that would define the future in many ways. These insights come from Walter Isaacson, who detailed them in his biography of Elon Musk.

Originally shared in 2023, the images revealed a dramatically different vision—one without the now-iconic angular rear sail. The design drew inspiration from various art forms, including video games, books, and movies—essentially, anywhere sci-fi had imagined a sleek, futuristic, or rugged truck.

The Nighthawk

The infamous F-117 Nighthawk.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II | http://www.defenselink.mil/

The design that ultimately made it to production wasn’t one of those early concepts. Instead, it was inspired by none other than the infamous American F-117 Nighthawk—a now-retired, single-seat stealth bomber developed by the secretive Skunk Works for the U.S. military. As the world’s first stealth aircraft, the F-117 revolutionized aviation with its groundbreaking design.

Much like the Cybertruck’s deluge of new technologies, the F-117 brought innovations that reshaped modern aircraft design. Its angular, faceted surfaces were engineered to deflect radar waves and reduce its infrared signature—features that directly influenced the Cybertruck’s distinctive geometry. When wrapped in black, the resemblance to the Nighthawk is undeniable.

Now, while we can’t say for sure if the Cybertruck is truly “stealthy”—since it turns heads wherever it goes—it does reflect radar waves. That said, don’t expect it to help you evade speed cameras or slip past the police unnoticed.

Super Stealthy

Not a Tesla App

The Nighthawk’s angular design also required advanced computerization—because, at first, no one believed it could even fly. Without its onboard computers to fine-tune the pilot’s inputs, it simply wouldn’t have. Similarly, the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system and rear-wheel steering give it an unexpected level of agility—especially for a massive stainless-steel vehicle that’s this fast.

The Cybertruck is truly one of a kind—there’s nothing else like it on the road today. Franz von Holzhausen delivered on Elon Musk’s vision of a truck from the future, and Tesla’s engineering team brought that vision to life in a way that few thought possible.

Follow

Follow

Follow