Tesla may add live object detection and more in upcoming update

Tesla’s over-the-air (OTA) software updates deploy regular improvements to the automaker’s vehicles, and many owners have watched the company slowly enhance their cars over the period of their ownership. One source is now claiming that Tesla will add a handful of useful features in an upcoming update, including live object-on-road detection, Supercharger congestion fees and more.

X user and Tesla sleuth Greentheonly reportedly looked at internal code for forthcoming software update 2023.28, finding that the automaker seems to be planning to release the object detection and charging congestion features, along with others (via Not a Tesla App).

Green notes that the object-on-road detection feature is not dissimilar from the functionality of Waze, only it will use real-time data from other Tesla vehicles to report obstacles or hazards. Once an object is detected on the road, it will immediately appear on the displays of other nearby Teslas.

Another feature that appears to be coming with the upcoming update is the addition of Supercharger congestion fees for those charging beyond 80 percent. In addition, the update is expected to unveil an autodial 911 feature when airbags deploy, improved alternate route suggestions and more.

Green also alludes to other potential features, including text-to-speech for navigation, expected to be debuted in China first, and something called karaoke tuning. Additionally, Green highlights other items in the code that he says he doesn’t understand or doesn’t have time to look into.

You can see Green’s post on X below, with many of his discoveries shared in the larger thread.

As Not a Tesla App points out, Green spotting the features doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be released, and it’s still possible for Tesla to scrap some of these. It’s equally possible that Tesla is currently testing these features with the intention of releasing them with a future update and maybe even with 2023.38.

In the past, Green spotted Tesla’s addition of a driver drowsiness icon before the automaker unveiled its recent drowsiness monitoring feature, and he alluded to the alleged “Elon Mode” Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta feature that was widely discussed earlier this year.

New Tesla feature auto-activates hazards when airbag is deployed

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla may add live object detection and more in upcoming update

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Tesla Model 3 AWD found to be least stolen vehicle in the US

A report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI) for 2022 revealed something quite interesting about vehicle thefts in the United States. Among the vehicles that were tracked by the HDLI, the Tesla Model 3 AWD was revealed to be the car that’s the least stolen in the US. 

The HDLI listed each vehicle that was included in its analysis with a relative claim frequency (RCF) score, which is based on how many individual cars are insured versus how many stolen claims were filed to the specific vehicle. As per the HDLI’s data, the Tesla Model 3 AWD is the vehicle with the lowest RCF score.

Credit: HDLI

A table summarizing the HDLI’s study shows that the Tesla Model 3 AWD has an RCF score of 3 with 3 claims. The Model 3 AWD was followed by the Model Y AWD, which was listed with an RCF score of 3 and 5 claims. Other Teslas also ranked in the HDLI’s least stolen vehicles list, such as the Tesla Model X AWD (RCF score of 8 with 2 claims), the Tesla Model 3 RWD (RCF score of 9 with 6 claims), and the Tesla Model S AWD (RCF score of 15 with 4 claims). 

On the other end of the spectrum is the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which was listed with an RCF score of 6,128 and 196 claims. The Dodge Charger HEMI followed right behind with an RCF score of 2,197 and 712 claims. The Honda CR-V 4WD is also notable as it was listed with an RCF score of 409 and a rather extensive 1,141 claims. 

Credit: HDLI

The low RCF scores of Tesla’s electric vehicles may be due to a variety of factors, though one should note that the company’s electric vehicles are very difficult to steal to begin with. Every Tesla has the capability to connect to the internet, so tracing the vehicles is typically not an issue. Safety features such as PIN to Drive also make it difficult to operate a Tesla without the owner’s credentials. 

The difficulties of stealing a Tesla were highlighted in a story involving a Tesla Model S back in April 2019. The vehicle was part of a rental fleet in Canada, and it was rented out to a client who then proceeded to get the Model S shipped abroad. The all-electric sedan was retrieved during a layover in Italy in a dramatic rescue that involved the cooperation of INTERPOL and the Italian police. Throughout its journey, the owners of the Model S were able to trace the vehicle, even when it was at sea. 

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Tesla Model 3 AWD found to be least stolen vehicle in the US

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Tesla Model 3 Highland deliveries begin in Germany

It appears that Tesla has begun delivering its refreshed Model 3 “Highland” in Germany, as shown in a new set of pictures.

On Saturday, X account Planwerk shared images of what seems to be the first Model 3 refresh delivery in Germany, with a Tesla showroom and service center seen in the background. The redesigned Model 3 is seen in the automaker’s midnight silver metallic paint, with shots from multiple angles.

According to the post, the first delivery took place at the Tesla store in Bielefeld, Germany, and the photos in the post were reportedly taken by a person tagged in the post and images as “bei i3sMichael”.

The pictures also show the Model 3’s Aero Wheels, while the vehicle is plugged in and charging outside the Bielefield service center.

The news kicks off Tesla’s first deliveries of the Model 3 Highland in Germany after the vehicle was spotted being unveiled in France earlier this month. The vehicle is built at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai, China, and huge batches of the car have been spotted being shipped from the facility over the last couple of months.

The vehicle has also been shown off in Italian showrooms this and last month, following its long-awaited launch in several Asian, European and other markets. Initial deliveries of the Model 3 Highland in China are also slated for the end of this month, though the refreshed sedan hasn’t yet been launched in North America.

The Model 3 Highland includes simplified exterior and interior features, including a redesigned set of headlights, ambient dashboard lighting and more.

Tesla Model 3 Highland gets stellar first reviews

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla Model 3 Highland deliveries begin in Germany

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