Everything about Tesla Sentry Mode Live Access

October 27, 2021

By Nuno Cristovao

Tesla has started to roll out update 2021.36.8 with one of the most anticipated features, Sentry Mode Live.

Tesla introduces Sentry Mode Live

RichrdSimons/Reddit

With software update 2021.36.8 Tesla is introduced Sentry Mode Live Access. The feature allows you to remotely view your Tesla’s cameras when Sentry Mode is activated.

The feature is available for Model 3, Model Y and the new Model S and X. Unfortunately, it's currently unavailable for 2020 and older Model S and X cars. It's not clear why Tesla has left the feature out of these cars, but it may be due to the lack of an interior camera. It's possible Tesla may add the feature at a later date to these vehicles.

The release notes for the feature reveal a few things. Sentry Mode Live will require Tesla’s Premium Connectivity package, which currently costs $10 / month per car in the US.

Tesla also states that when viewing Sentry Mode live, the video stream is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla.

In order to view Sentry Mode live, you’ll also need the latest Tesla app, version 4.2.1 which is available in iOS and Google app stores.

The release notes for the feature say:

You can now remotely view your car’s surroundings when parked to confirm the safety of your environment before returning to your car. Live Camera is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla. To enable or disable, tap Controls > Safety & Security.

Note: This feature requires iOS mobile app version 4.2.1 or higher, and Premium Connectivity.

We knew that Tesla was introducing live camera streaming, but this is the first time that we’ve seen it available on cars.

Update 2021.36.8 will introduce Sentry Mode Live, but according to leaks in the Tesla app, we know that additional features related to remote camera viewing are coming as well.

In future updates, you’ll also be able to view Sentry Mode and Dashcam clips that were previously recorded and even save video when viewing Sentry Mode Live. You’ll also be able to talk to your phone and have your voice come out of the car, if your vehicle is equipped with a Pedestrian Warning System.

These additions features are anticipated to be available in version 2021.40.

In addition to requiring Premium Connectivity, your car will also need to have HW 2.5 or higher and MCU 2, which is required to have Sentry Mode or the Dashcam feature in your car.

It's suspected that although you will need to subscribe to Premium Connectivity to use Sentry Mode Live, you will likely be able to use it if your car is connected to WiFi.

App leaks also confirm that there will be daily limitations to how long you can stream video for, but Tesla doesn’t mention limits in their release notes, so it's unclear whether there will be daily limitations at launch.

Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

December 14, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

December 13, 2024

By Karan Singh

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer.

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips.

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.