Two new features were uncovered in Tesla update 2023.44 by Tesla hacker Green (@greentheonly).
The first is firmware code that refers to a "front camera washer," which implies that upcoming models with a front bumper camera will also include a washer to hose off the lens.
The second appears to be available now with update 2023.44.1, and that's changes to the seat belt reminder system.
Front Camera Washer
The front-camera washer was revealed through Green's deep dive into Tesla's firmware code. An upcoming refresh to the Model S and Model X is expected to include a front bumper camera, as well as ambient lighting, similar to the new Model 3. When the new Model 3 lands in North America next year, it is also expected to carry this additional camera.
While its possible that the car will automatically clean the front camera based on when it sees dirt or rain droplets (similarly to how the wipers work), it appears that Tesla will also provide a button to manually clean the front bumper camera.
It's not clear where this additional button will live, but it could be added next to the Wipers and Sentry Mode buttons in Controls. Based on the icon, it doesn't look like it'll be its own icon in the bottom rows of apps, known as the launcher.
Seatbelt Reminder Changes
Another change Green discovered was a smaller change related to the seatbelt reminder system. In alignment with the standards set by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Tesla updated its seatbelt reminder tone. As per Green's findings, the new tone sounds more frequent and is higher-pitched.
Hazard Lights
Tesla has been tinkering with tone and patterns regarding safety aspects. The company recently changed how the hazardous lights function, introducing speed changes in flashing and light brightness after an accident.
These small changes reflect Tesla's commitment to consistently evolving their vehicles through hardware and software changes.
According to previous images of the Cybertruck's front bumper camera, the Cybertruck may be the first Tesla vehicle with the new lens cleaner. We should find out more this Thursday, when Tesla delivers the first trucks.
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Tesla’s recent focus on expanding and vertically integrating its battery production is beginning to take global steps, starting with a battery recycling and service center in South Australia. In Marion, a suburb of Adelaide, the council recently voted in favor of a proposal that would see contaminated public land developed and leased to Tesla.
The move promises local jobs and environmental remediation but has garnered a lot of public debate focused on Elon’s moves outside his role as CEO.
The proposal involves a site that’s currently unusable for recreation due to chemical contamination. A local developer plans to acquire and remediate the land, constructing a new facility specifically for Tesla. This site would reportedly serve two purposes: recycling old lithium-ion batteries and serving as a Tesla Service Center.
Tesla’s Commitment to Recycling
Tesla recently announced its intention to ramp up its battery recycling and repurposing efforts. During the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, Tesla’s executives highlighted substantial progress. Tesla had recycled enough materials in Q1 2025 to build approximately 21,000 Model Y RWD vehicles, representing a 136% year-over-year increase from Q1 2024.
Dedicated regional hubs like this one would be a logical next step in expanding the recycling loop and furthering Tesla’s vertical integration while also reducing its reliance on new materials. In addition, local sources also mentioned that Tesla could be repurposing older lithium-ion batteries for other purposes, including their inclusion in stationary battery storage systems like Powerwall or Megapack.
Of course, the facility also has major benefits for the local community, including creating around 100 local jobs, as well as injecting approximately $56 million into the local economy. Further, developing the contaminated land as a renewable facility is one of the safest ways to use the land that’s been sealed off from the public for nearly a decade.
Elon’s Image
The proposal isn’t without its critics. Local opposition was voiced during community consultations, with most of the negative sentiment directed towards Elon rather than the facility itself. Despite these complaints, the local council elected to proceed, arguing that tangible economic and environmental benefits far outweigh any perceived geopolitical or symbolic harm that shutting down the project could cause.
With the council’s endorsement on record, the proposal now moves to the South Australian state government for approvals regarding the change in land classification.
Tesla’s software updates often hide some undocumented features alongside the official release notes, and software update 2025.20 is no exception. With this update, Tesla has introduced a welcome quality-of-life improvement for the in-vehicle Dashcam Viewer. Users now have the ability to select and delete multiple clips at once (thanks, Max!). However, this addition is limited to the updated Dashcam Viewer for Ryzen-based vehicles.
While it may seem a small change, if you wanted to clear out your Dashcam clips, you’d have to either delete them one by one in the vehicle or remove your Dashcam USB drive and take it to a computer to erase all the clips at once. For those who frequently see Sentry Mode notifications or often record clips with their Dashcam, this is a useful addition.
This feature is currently limited to vehicles that have received the updated Dashcam viewer - which means vehicles equipped with AMD Ryzen processors (how to tell if you have Intel or AMD). This includes all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with AMD Ryzen, as well as the 2021+ Model S and Model X vehicles.
Unfortunately, since the Cybertruck does not yet have access to the updated Dashcam viewer or support for the additional two cameras in Sentry Mode, it has not received this feature yet either.
This undocumented feature is a very welcomed addition for many users who carefully manage their Dashcam and Sentry Mode videos.
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