Tesla update 2022.8 reveals that Tesla will add 'Dog Mode', 'Camp Mode' and more to the app

By Clint Payne
You will soon be able to turn on Dog Mode from the Tesla app
You will soon be able to turn on Dog Mode from the Tesla app

According to code found in Tesla's 4.7 app update, and now with an image found in Tesla's latest vehicle update (2022.8.2), we can now confirm that Tesla is going to be added additional climate features to the Tesla app.

An upcoming app update will make it easier for owners to manage their car’s climate control settings, specifically by adding the ability to turn on Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and Climate Keeper through the Tesla app.

The latest feature update will be accessible in the climate section of the app by dragging the slider upward.

Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and Climate Kepper will appear next to the cabin's overheat protection setting, which currently protects the car’s interior from overheating during warmer days. This new app update will make it easier for Tesla owners to manage their vehicles.

Dog Mode

Dog Mode allows you to set the temperature in the car, just like you'd set it at home, and the vehicle will keep the interior of the vehicle at that temperature until you return. It doesn't matter whether the cabin needs to be heated or cooled; the car will control the HVAC to keep the vehicle at the selected temperature.

Camp Mode

Camp Mode allows your cabin to maintain the interior lighting, temperature, airflow, powered USB ports, and other theater features.

Climate Keeper

The Climate Keeper feature ensures that the temperature in your cabin is maintained for an extended period, depending on the current battery charge percentage.

All features work when the vehicle has a charge capacity of at least 20%. Once your vehicle hits 20% battery, Tesla will send you a notification via the Tesla app letting you know that the battery is getting low and that you should return to your car.

Currently, Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and Climate Keeper are all features that are only available by toggling them on from within the climate control menu, while the vehicle is in park. They can not be toggled on while the vehicle is in drive, reverse, or neutral.

Adding the functionality for Tesla owners to turn these on from the comfort of their home or anywhere in the world is a highly anticipated mobile app feature that will be available across all Tesla vehicles.

The Tesla app gives you seamless access to your car and energy products from anywhere in the world and is another reason why so many people choose Tesla compared to other companies.

Tesla's mobile app was first released in 2012 and received a warm reception from Tesla owners. However, over the past few years, Tesla has made numerous improvements by adding features that enhance the daily lives of Tesla owners.

When this app update is released it'll require your vehicle to be on a recent vehicle version as well. Stay tuned for these new climate features in an upcoming update.

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

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

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 10th 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.

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