Tesla has made a range of hardware modifications to its flagship cars, including the integration of new cameras, high-definition radar, a new Autopilot computer, and a host of other upgrades.
A new Tesla Model S owner has demonstrated the superior capabilities of the upgraded cameras of what it can see, compared to a Model Y with older hardware.
Ryan Zohoury highlights the advanced features of the new side repeater camera
Ryan Zohoury exhibited his brand new Tesla Model S on Twitter, parked beside a kerb. To test the effectiveness of the new side repeater camera in the 2023 Tesla Model S, Ryan placed a black tape perpendicular to the kerb to see if it could capture it.
https://twitter.com/ryanzohoury/status/1636522875233665025?s=61
The objective is to improve the road’s visibility during full self-driving when the vehicle turns or crosses median strips, where creeping forward is required to detect any cross-traffic.
The enhancement is remarkable, as the field of view now captures the tape that Ryan put on the road, and the resolution of the repeater cameras in the 2023 Tesla Model S has significantly improved. The side repeaters of the Tesla Model Y with older hardware cannot capture the video marking on the roadway. In keeping with Tesla’s usual practice, the new hardware is introduced without the customer’s awareness and represents an improvement over the previous generation.
It is customary for traditional automakers to promote new features for several months before a new model or update is launched, long before customers place orders for the vehicle or take delivery.
Tesla Model S: Additional changes unveiled
Despite Tesla’s recent announcement of updates to the Tesla Model S, the company did not mention the significant hardware changes made to the car.
Customers in the US who received their Model S and Model X vehicles earlier this month were pleasantly surprised to find that the cars were equipped with upgraded hardware, known as Hardware 4. Tesla’s latest hardware includes advanced cameras and high-definition radar, which will be essential for the vehicles’ future self-driving capabilities.
Tesla plans to incorporate the advanced cameras currently used in Model S and Model X into their Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The upgrade for the Model 3 is expected to be completed by September of this year. As part of this upgrade, the woodgrain interior of the upcoming Tesla Model 3 in China may be removed, which is part of a project codenamed “Highland.”
The latest Model S and Model X vehicles are vastly improved compared to their predecessors, thanks to upgraded cameras and other advanced features. These enhancements have made Tesla’s flagship models much better vehicles overall.
Upgraded hardware to trickle down to Model 3 and Model Y, Increasing accessibility of EVs
Tesla is streamlining its manufacturing processes, which means that many of the hardware upgrades currently found in the latest Model S and Model X will soon make their way to the Model 3 and Model Y. This is excellent news for existing owners who will have good reason to upgrade their vehicles. Furthermore, it will also increase the availability of used EVs, making it easier for more people to access electric vehicles in the future.
Tesla customers in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK who have ordered the refreshed Model S and Model X have been waiting for over 18 months for an update on their orders or a release date. However, there is hope that the latest models will arrive in time for Christmas.
