Tesla to add 3D terrain to visualizations

By Gabe Rodriguez Morrison
Tesla to show 3D terrain to visualizations
Tesla to show 3D terrain to visualizations
DirtyTesla/YouTube

As FSD has improved over the years, Tesla has added additional visualizations to the car's display. The car display shows what the car can see and react to in its surroundings.

In early 2018 Tesla showed only certain types of vehicles and lane markings using only the front-facing cameras.

Tesla slowly started processing data from additional cameras and showed more types of vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic cones.

They now show a large variety of objects from trash cans, traffic lights, dogs, speed bumps, and even dynamically resize vehicle models to match their real-life size.

Tesla only shows a fraction of the objects it detects in their visualizations. For example, Tesla's FSD Beta can detect open car doors, emergency vehicles, and more, but these objects are currently not shown on the display, they likely will be in the future.

Although the car does not use the visualizations for Autopilot, the visualizations still play a crucial part in helping the person behind the wheel understand how well the vehicle understands its environment.

Understanding lane markings, road edges, and the curvature of the road is only a portion of what Tesla’s FSD system needs to understand.

To properly understand a curve in the road the car also needs to understand elevation changes.

It looks like Tesla is starting to do just that. According to GreenTheOnly, who analyzes Tesla code, he says that Tesla is “preparing to do some sort of a 3d terrain on the viz.”

It's not clear whether FSD may already understand terrain elevations while navigating, but it looks like Tesla will now add elevation changes to their visualizations as well.

Tesla likes to keep the visualizations simple with a sketch-like, gray-tone feel, so we may see roads and surrounding terrain take on a shading effect to visualize hills and valleys.

GreenTheOnly isn’t sure what the visualization will look like either, but we may know more soon as Tesla starts to add more information and assets in upcoming firmware builds to support 3D terrains.

Elon Musk has also talked about Tesla trying to find a way to display objects it detects but doesn’t completely understand what they are. It could be almost anything; a strange object on the sidewalk, lumber hanging out the back of a pickup truck, or a newspaper vending machine.

The car understands there's an object there, but trying to visualize this object in a way that makes sense for humans is tricky.

In the future, we may even see a more complex 3D environment that will display static objects such as buildings, trees, sidewalk curbs, and more.

We could also see different colors and textures based on the type of terrain (flat gray pavement or textured greenery).

Tesla's MCU chip is already capable of rendering 3D video games, so it's conceivable that it could render a more accurate image of its surroundings.

Tesla initially planned for all FSD visualizations to be rolled out to everyone, even if they didn't have the FSD Beta.

Elon first mentioned visualizations being available in Europe in October of last year, so we’re hopeful Tesla is still planning for this.

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics. These communications could be product to product, such as vehicles communicating with each other or with other products such as Optimus. However, the job posting also talks about products being able to communicate with Tesla’s internal 5G network. It’s not clear whether the private network would be internal such as at a Gigafactory, or a broader network out in the world.

Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication
Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

Tesla Is in Talks To Produce Electric Vans in Italy According to Report

By Kevin Armstrong
Van rendering
Van rendering

Italy has been discussing with Tesla about potentially establishing a factory producing electric trucks and vans. This information came to light in an Italian media outlet, Il Sole 24 Ore, which reported that the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Mimit) spearheaded talks to secure Tesla's investment.

Tesla and Italy: A Strategic Dialogue

Since last summer, Italy has broadened its industrial horizons by engaging in talks with Tesla, alongside negotiations with prominent Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Chery Automobile. Notably, the discussions with Tesla have centered around producing electric commercial vehicles, highlighting a departure from conventional car manufacturing and reflecting the evolving demands of the global market.

Under the leadership of Minister Adolfo Urso, Italy aims to invigorate its automotive sector by encouraging the presence of multiple manufacturers. This approach is designed to stabilize the national components sector, which faces challenges due to the shift towards electric vehicles. Italy aims to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually, including a significant contribution from a new yet-to-be-determined manufacturer.

A Geopolitical and Industrial Balancing Act

Italy's engagement with Tesla occurs amidst a delicate phase of negotiations with Stellantis for increased vehicle production within the country. This strategic dialogue with Tesla, alongside discussions with Chinese competitors, is a pivotal element in Italy's industrial and geopolitical maneuvering.

A multipurpose van is the next logical step for Tesla to produce once the less expensive next-gen platform is released (code name Redwood). However, engineers seem to be busy perfecting the next-gen Roadster, and the van has had little discussion. Given the company's leaks, if a van were in the works, you would think we would’ve heard about it. Perhaps this is the nudge Tesla needs to get the van into production.

As Italy endeavors to become a key player in the electric vehicle industry, its negotiations with Tesla signify a promising development. The possibility of Tesla establishing a facility for electric trucks and vans in Italy underscores the country's commitment to sustainable transportation and positions Italy as an attractive destination for automotive innovation.

View All Upcoming Features

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

More Tesla News

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Sponsors

Find out how to become a sponsor and have your site listed here.

Although we share official Tesla release notes, we are not affiliated with Tesla Motors. We are Tesla fans and supporters.

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.