Tesla To Add Official Support for Third-Party Services and Apps

June 28, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla appears to be adding official support for third-party services

Not a Tesla App

A new addition has surfaced in your Tesla account settings. Under Profile Settings on the web, there is a new option that will let you manage third-party applications. It appears this feature is in its emergent stage, with no way to add apps yet. However, this development signifies that Tesla could be close to releasing official support for third-party apps, giving you an official and more privacy concise way to let other services access your vehicle. These third-party apps should not be confused with the apps in your vehicle and the rumored Tesla App Store.

This update to Tesla's account page appears to have slipped under the radar until now. The option is found nestled under security options alongside multi-factor authentication under Profile Settings. The new "Third Party Apps" section appears to be a central location to give or revoke access to select third parties.

Bringing third-party apps into play could redefine the relationship between Tesla and its user base, paving the way for a more customized, privacy-focused experience.

Better, More Secure Access

Third-party applications like TeslaFi help Tesla owners track their vehicle usage. To function, these apps currently require complete access to the vehicle. However, with official third-party support, Tesla could introduce more controlled access, providing a secure way to share specific vehicle information.

In addition to added security, services like TeslaFi could benefit in terms of usability and functionality by leveraging official ways to gain access to vehicle data.

Promising Prospects: Apple Maps EV Routing and More

The integration of third-party apps could yield some exciting possibilities. One potential development is the utilization of Apple Maps EVrouting, an innovative feature that allows real-time analysis of your vehicle's route and battery charge. This tool would enable users to plan their trips more efficiently, even considering real-time EV charger availability.

Such advancements will benefit users and usher in a new age of collaboration, making driving a Tesla an even more integrated part of our connected lives.

Questions Remain on Support and Access

While Tesla's move to support third-party apps is thrilling, many questions still need answering. Will any companies be able to add support? Will there be a need for a paid developer account similar to Apple's? Will there be API fees or limitations in the API?

While it's not possible to add third-party apps right now, the ability to view services with access is already live on the Tesla site, indicating that a rollout might be around the corner. There's no doubt that this feature could significantly enhance how Tesla owners interact with their vehicles and third-party services, marking a new era of intelligent, user-friendly experiences. However, until more information is made available, all we can do is speculate on the details and eagerly anticipate what Tesla has in store for us.

Tesla’s Robotaxi Easter Egg: Surprise Tip

June 25, 2025

By Karan Singh

BLKMDL3

Tesla has always embraced whimsy in its software, packing it with playful Easter eggs and surprises. From transforming the on-screen car into James Bond’s submarine to the ever-entertaining Emissions Testing Mode and the fan-favorite Rainbow Road, these hidden features have become a signature part of Tesla’s software.

Of course, launching a new product like Robotaxi wouldn’t be complete without a fun little easter egg of its own. The end-of-ride screen in the Robotaxi app presents a familiar option “Leave a tip.”

For anyone pleased with their Robotaxi ride, they may be tempted to leave a tip. However, tapping the button presents our favorite hedgehog instead of a payment screen.

The app displays a message, alongside the familiar Tesla hedgehog, that simply states “Just kidding.”

While it's a fun prank, it’s also a nod to what Tesla really wants to do. They want to reinforce the economic advantage of an autonomous Robotaxi Network. Without a driver, there is simply no need to tip. The gesture is playful, but it’s a reminder of what Tesla’s real aim is here.

Had to been done lol https://t.co/SnZ3afXXzB
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2025

Even Elon is in on the joke. It is a small detail, but it’s all about those small details with Tesla.

First Recorded Tesla Robotaxi Intervention: UPS Truck Encounter [VIDEO]

June 25, 2025

By Karan Singh

@BLKMDL3 on X

Over the last few days, we’ve seen some exceptionally smooth performance from the latest version of FSD on Tesla’s Robotaxi Network pilot. However, the entire purpose of an early access program with Safety Monitors is to identify and learn from edge cases.

This week, the public saw the first recorded instance of a Safety Monitor intervention, providing a first look at how they’re expected to stop the vehicle.

The event involved a complex, low-speed interaction with a reversing UPS truck. The Safety Monitor intervened to stop the Robotaxi immediately, potentially avoiding a collision with the delivery truck. Let’s break down this textbook case of real-world unpredictability.

The Intervention [VIDEO]

In a video from a ride in Austin, a Robotaxi is preparing to pull over to its destination on the right side of the road, with its turn signal active. Ahead, a UPS truck comes to a stop. As the Model Y begins turning into the spot, the UPS truck, seemingly without signaling, starts to reverse. At this point, the Safety Monitor stepped in and pressed the In Lane Stop button on the main display, bringing the Robotaxi to an immediate halt.

This is precisely why Tesla has employed Safety Monitors in this initial pilot. They are there to proactively manage ambiguous situations where the intentions of other drivers are unclear. The system worked as designed, but it raises a key question: What would FSD have done on its own? It’s not clear whether the vehicle saw the truck backing up, or what it would do when it finally detected it. It’s also unclear whether the UPS driver recognized that the Robotaxi was pulling into the same spot at the exact same time.

It’s possible this wouldn’t result in a collision at all, but the Safety Monitor did the right thing by stepping in to prevent a potential collision, even one at low speed. Any collision just a few days after the Robotaxi Network launch could result in complications for Tesla.

Who Would Be At Fault?

This scenario is a classic edge case. It involves unclear right-of-way and unpredictable human behavior. Even for human drivers, the right-of-way here is complicated. While a reversing vehicle often bears responsibility, a forward-moving vehicle must also take precautions to avoid a collision. This legal and practical gray area is what makes these scenarios so challenging for AI to navigate.

Would the Robotaxi have continued, assuming the reversing truck would stop?

Or would it have identified the potential conflict and used its own ability to stop and reverse?

Without the intervention, it’s impossible to say for sure. However, crucial context comes from a different clip involving, surprisingly, another UPS delivery truck.

A Tale of Two Trucks

In a separate video posted on X, another Robotaxi encounters a remarkably similar situation. In that instance, as another UPS delivery truck obstructs the path forward, the Robotaxi comes to a stop to let its two passengers out just a few feet from their destination.

Once they depart, the Robotaxi successfully reverses and performs a three-point turn to extricate itself from a tight spot. That was all done without human intervention, by correctly identifying the situation.

This second clip is vital because it proves that the Robotaxi's FSD build has the underlying logic and capability to handle these scenarios. It can, and does, use reverse to safely navigate complex situations.

RUN THE CLIP!

UPS Truck vs Tesla Robotaxi https://t.co/GLc86BS5bc pic.twitter.com/O2c8c2KRB2
— Bradford Ferguson (@bradsferguson) June 25, 2025

A Valuable Data Point

Far from being a failure, this first intervention should be seen as a success for Tesla’s safety methodology. It shows the safety system is working, allowing monitors to mitigate ambiguous events proactively.

More importantly, this incident provides Tesla’s FSD team with an invaluable real-world data point.

By comparing the intervened ride with the successful autonomous one, Tesla’s engineers can fine-tune FSD’s decision-making, which will likely have a positive impact on its edge case handling in the near future.

This is the purpose of a public pilot — to find the final edge cases and build a more robust system, one unpredictable reversing truck at a time.