Tesla Adds HEPA Filter to New Model 3, Will it Get Bioweapon Defense Mode? [Update: Tesla Edits Post]

November 8, 2023

By Eva Fox

Tesla promotes the new HEPA filter on new Model 3 on Weibo

Tesla

In September, Tesla introduced its updated Model 3. The car received a number of changes, from the exterior and interior, to improvements under the hood. One of the significant changes was the addition of a HEPA filter, so there is a possibility that the company will also provide Bioweapon Defense Mode.

Updated Tesla Model 3 Gets HEPA Filter

Tesla's official Weibo account (via @VidasL/X) today posted information about HEPA filters in its cars. The company did not list specific models that are equipped with them. However, one of the images contained a new Model 3, and the text on it talked about HEPA filters and their effectiveness.

Previously, the car could not be equipped with the much larger HEPA filter. However, it was a feature that highly desired by the owners as it could provide the Bioweapon Defense Mode feature. Since Tesla has largely upgraded the Model 3 and made a fundamental redesign, installing a HEPA filter appears to now have become possible.

What is Bioweapon Defense Mode?

Bioweapon Defense Mode is an advanced air filtration system to protect vehicle occupants from various air pollutants. It uses a HEPA filter to condition the air inside the vehicle, and provides protection against exhaust fumes, smoke, allergens, airborne pathogens, and other potentially hazardous particles.

HEPA is a high-performance molecular air filter with more than 99.97% efficiency, providing hospital-grade air filtration. The filter is capable of capturing particles up to 0.3 micrometers in diameter, and also has a secondary filtration system with activated carbon filters to remove odors, gases, bacteria, viruses, pollen, and mold spores.

Can we expect Bioweapon Defense Mode in the updated Model 3?

As of now, Tesla has not made an official announcement that its updated Model 3 will have Bioweapon Defense Mode. However, the installation of a HEPA filter in the car hints that it may be available to owners down the line. In September, @VidasL reported that he had discovered the Bioweapon Defense Mode for Model 3 in the Tesla App. It appears this also was a hint at the addition of the long-awaited feature to the only Tesla model that did not have it.

Update: Tesla has now edited their post on Weibo. The text remains the same, but the background is now of the updated Model Y in China with ambient lighting on the dash, instead of the new Model 3. It appears that sharing the image with the Model 3 may have been a mistake, but we should know more soon.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

Manhasset, New York
West Covina, California
Los Angeles, California
Houston, Texas
Orlando, Florida
Westmont, Illinois
Tucson, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.