Tesla hacker and Twitter user @greentheonly has speculated that it won’t be possible to retrofit current MCU 2 (Media Control Unit) Teslas employing Intel chips with the new and improved Ryzen-based processor that is used in MCU 3.
In an up-close inspection of a new Model Y’s internals Green stated that “retrofit for intel cars definitely looks impossible - totally different power and other harness and thickness of the unit.”
The news hasn’t been confirmed nor denied by Tesla or its CEO, Elon Musk, but if proven to be accurate it would most certainly disappoint a great number of MCU2 vehicles owners, who were expecting to be offered the possibility of an upgrade, in the same way current MCU1 owners are able to upgrade their chips for a $2,000 (plus tax) fee.
MCU (Media Control Unit) is the computer controlling Tesla’s touchscreen, processors, RAM (short term memory), non-volatile memory (long-term memory), the audio subsystem, 5 amplifiers, WiFi, Cellular, Bluetooth, GPS, the Ethernet bridge, multiple CAN bus communications, the LIN bus, USB ports and many more.
It handles every software operation, excluding Full Self-Driving/Autopilot, which are unaffected by which MCU version a Tesla is equipped with. All Tesla’s built after November 2016 are capable of Full Self-Driving.
MCU2 came out in the spring of 2018 (fall of 2017 for Model 3) as an upgrade to the NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 processor found in MCU1. All cars delivered after that point benefited from the improved responsiveness and extra features that came with the Intel’s Atom E8000 Series CPU.
From a technical standpoint, the two chips possessed entirely different architectures. The release of software update V10 highlighted the differences, as MCU1 owners were excluded from both Tesla Theater and Tesla Arcade. Effectively, MCU1 doesn’t support Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, or any other streaming services that may be added in the future. It also doesn’t support any of the games Tesla added. Additionally, the web browser on MCU2 is much quicker and more capable as it’s built on Google’s Chromium platform.
In summer of 2021 Tesla released the redesigned Model S with a more powerful infotainment processor MCU. At the time no one was sure whether this was Tesla's next generation MCU or whether it would trickle down to other models.
Then in late 2021 the first news of a new Tesla MCU chip generation started to flood the web, with reports coming from China of a new AMD Ryzen-based computer being present in newly delivered Model Y’s.
The new MCU is faster and brings noticeable improvements in responsiveness in the web browser, as well as while using video streaming services, such as Netflix and YouTube.
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Tesla has consistently demonstrated a commitment to high-quality audio hardware in its vehicles. The sound engineers go through a thorough design process - including integrating the subwoofer’s sound flow through the Cybertruck’s hollow body sections. Tesla offers, by and far, one of the best OEM audio experiences in its price range.
However, physical components and engineering magic aside, the current software that drives Tesla’s audio experience is sub-par when compared to higher-end audio systems on the market. It falls short of delivering truly spatial, three-dimensional audio that many audiophiles and even discerning casual listeners have come to appreciate from the likes of $100 earbuds with spatial audio support from their cell phones.
This really feels like a missed opportunity, especially when Tesla used to offer “Dolby Surround” in the past.
Immersive Sound… Kind Of
Tesla’s proprietary Immersive Sound option widens the sound stage by creating a surround-sound-like effect within the vehicle. It has evolved over the years from a simple “Off/Standard/High” to include slightly more granular control, as well as an Auto mode that intelligently adjusts the level of immersion based on the content being played.
For many, including myself, the experience often feels more like an improved stereo field rather than a genuine multi-dimensional soundscape. Even when set to High and paired with Hi-Fi downloaded music from sources like TIDAL, Immersive Sound struggles to open up the sound stage. The sense of height and precise placement of individual sound sources - hallmarks of spatial audio - are missing, leading to an audio presentation that, while clear and powerful, ultimately feels a little flat.
In reality, Immersive Sound often just turns on the A-pillar speakers and uses them for a wider set of sounds than they are normally used for, which really feels rather disappointing.
A good example is Imagine Dragons’ song Believer. Try listening to it with Immersive Sound on, and then off. If you’ve got headphones with Spatial Sound / Dolby Atmos support, try listening to the same song there. You’ll find a world of difference.
The Gold Standard: Dolby Atmos
Technology like Dolby Atmos has become the gold standard for listening to spatial audio - and represents a substantial step above traditional “Surround Sound” and Tesla’s current Immersive Sound. Dolby Atmos does a lot to achieve that truly three-dimensional audio experience.
They use object-based audio, where sounds are treated as individual objects that can be placed and moved precisely in a 3D space rather than being confined to specific channels, like with 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound. They also include a vertical dimension, making the sound feel like it’s coming from above, below, or all around. This is done through dedicated processing (and sometimes dedicated down-facing speakers) to render the sound in a fully 3D space.
All that, alongside the ability to render complex mixes like 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound with exceptional clarity, means that individual instruments and vocal layers maintain their distinction.
The overall result is a refined listening experience that is genuine, more engaging, and compelling. It isn’t just better for music too - it makes video content consumption better with spatial sound matching what’s being displayed on-screen.
Amazing Hardware Deserves Amazing Software
Tesla’s investment in custom-engineered audio systems is commendable. The 17 speakers in the Cybertruck represent one of the best OEM-designed speaker arrays capable of producing detailed and dynamic sound.
However, this amazing hardware is being asked to perform an orchestra with one hand tied behind its back. Without the extra spatial rendering capabilities of an industry standard like Dolby Atmos, we may as well only have five speakers. Tesla isn’t taking full advantage of the great hardware in these vehicles by letting the software lag behind.
Implementation
The barrier to entry for true surround sound may not be as high as some imagine; for perspective, a consumer license for Dolby Atmos on a PC is remarkably affordable - only $14.99. While commercial automotive licensing is on a different scale, this illustrates that access to the core technology isn't inherently prohibitive, suggesting it's more a matter of prioritization for Tesla.
Some might perceive the engineering effort to implement and tune true spatial audio as immense, but it's worth noting that advancements in calibration are constantly being made. For example, in a controlled home environment, initial spatial sound system tuning can sometimes be accomplished in as little as an hour.
Naturally, the acoustic complexity and variability of a car interior demand a more involved process, but for a company with Tesla's engineering prowess, creating an exceptional in-car spatial audio experience is well within reach and arguably less of a monumental task than many might think.
This isn’t just about satisfying those with a particular ear for sound - a truly exceptional spatial sound system like Atmos, or at least a functional in-house one that genuinely matches its capabilities, would be a huge bonus for Tesla’s flagship vehicles. It would help to elevate the experience, especially as Tesla continues to narrow the premium feel between their flagship vehicles and their everyday vehicles.
Tesla builds vehicles with some of the most impressive audio hardware on the market, so there’s no reason not to match this with the most impressive audio software. Let’s bring back Dolby surround sound support.
Tesla recently announced plans to onshore Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery production to the United States, and those plans are starting to come together in light of a new patent on LFP chemistries. The newly published patent, WO2024/229047 A1, reveals that Tesla, along with a team including renowned battery researcher Jeff Dahn from Dalhousie University (who has made significant contributions to advancing lithium-ion battery technology, including LFP for Tesla), is developing an improved LFP-based cathode material. This “boosted” LFP will likely be the foundation for future US-made Tesla vehicles.
LFP batteries are already a part of Tesla’s strategy for its Standard Range vehicles and energy storage products. They are prized for their lower cost (by avoiding expensive nickel and cobalt), long cycle life, and ability to charge to 100% without damaging the battery. By bringing LFP production to the US, Tesla could tap into domestic incentives and avoid potential tariffs. This new patent suggests that Tesla isn’t just planning on bringing LFP production to the U.S., but that it’s also looking to improve it.
LFP with a Pinch of Nickel
The core of the patent describes a “blended cathode active material.” This involves taking a standard iron phosphate-based material, like LiFePO4 or LFP, and potentially Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate, LMFP, which forms the vast majority of the cathode - about 90-99% by weight. Then, adding in a small, carefully controlled amount of nickel oxide-based active material, such as NMC or NCA, typically between 0.1-15% or as lean as 0.1-3% by weight.
The approach isn’t just a simple mix; the patent details crucial pre-processing steps for the nickel-based component. This includes surface area processing like milling to increase its surface area and heating it to temperatures between 650°C and 800°C. These steps are designed to reduce lithium-containing impurities (like LiOH and Li2CO3) in the nickel material, which can be detrimental to battery performance.
Why Blended?
The goal of this LFP-Nickel blend is to increase LFP battery performance. In particular, the patent is targeting improved capacity retention and increased lifetime cycles. The extensive data presented in the patent shows that cells made with this blended cathode exhibit several key advantages over standard LFP cells.
Improved Capacity Retention: The blended cathodes demonstrated a better ability to hold charge over many cycles with tests showing blended cells retaining over 90% capacity after 7,000 hours of cycling at 40°C in some configurations.
Improved Cycle Lifetime: The batteries could endure more charge and discharge cycles while maintaining output voltage, which is key for vehicle lifespans.
Better High-Temperature Performance: Testing at higher temperatures, including up to 70°C showed superior stability and capacity retention.
Reduced Degradation: A fascinating finding highlighted in the patent is that the blend appears to reduce the dissolution of iron from the LFP material, which can then deposit on the anode and hinder long-term performance. The blended cells showed less iron deposition on the anode after extensive cycling.
Lower Internal Resistance Growth: Finally, these new cathodes showed more stable internal resistance over time compared to pure LFP cells, especially at higher temperatures.
By incorporating just a small fraction of the higher-energy nickel material, Tesla hopes to improve LFP battery longevity and improve charge rates without increasing the cost of these batteries, which is one of their most appealing qualities.
Impact on Charging Performance
The patent doesn't explicitly focus on achieving dramatically faster charging speeds as its primary outcome, with most cycling tests conducted at moderate C-rates like C/3*. However, the findings offer strong indicators that charging performance would also be improved.
While the patent doesn't claim a new "fast charge" LFP chemistry outright, the inherent improvements in material stability and resistance characteristics suggest that these blended LFP cells could offer more robust and reliable charging performance.
* C-rates are a measure of how quickly a battery can charge. 1C means the battery can be fully charged in an hour, while C/3 means 33% per hour.
Domestic LFP
This patented technology could be the key to Tesla's US LFP production. It offers a pathway to manufacturing LFP cells that are not only domestically sourced but also offer a tangible performance improvement over conventional LFP chemistries. This could give Tesla a competitive edge, allowing them to offer LFP-powered vehicles and energy products with better longevity, durability, and potentially even slightly better performance characteristics in demanding conditions.
This is especially important today, as Tesla no longer sells vehicles with LFP batteries in the United States and North America due to tariffs. The only LFP battery items they sell within North America are Megapack and Powerwall, which are both excluded from tariffs (and incentives) due to their nature as stationary energy products.
As Tesla continues to innovate across the battery spectrum, from raw materials processing to cell design and manufacturing, innovations like this blended cathode could play an important role in the next generation of more affordable and durable electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.
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