Since their launch, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have had the basic technical requirements for implementing a modern oblivious person detection system behind the wheel: an additional camera in the unit on the rear-view mirror (see photo) that monitors the interior of the car. In the United States, it has been used for some time to monitor your eyes remaining on the road when driving with autopilot functions. Apparently, Tesla hasn’t done anything with it in Europe yet, but that’s changing now, too.
Want Tesla data and video
This can be found in the information on the new version 2022.4.5.5 of the car software, which has been circulating since last week. The German text was posted on Twitter, among others. “Help Tesla improve the intelligence of camera-based interior features and share analytics from your vehicle,” she says.
If you agree, data from the camera, including short videos, will be passed to the company if a “safety critical event (such as an impact) occurs or if a diagnosis is required for the camera’s internal functionality.” According to Tesla, the material is not associated with the unique vehicle number, ultimately the identity of the customer in question.
With update 2022.4.5.5, Tesla requires the use of Cabin Camera to collect data to improve and implement future features in Germany.
For the first time the cabin camera is activated here pic.twitter.com/IkUcmtljN0– Tesla Adri (@tesla_adri) March 5, 2022
Tesla owners from France and Great Britain have also reported references to the indoor camera in the new software. The innovation appears to have been introduced extensively, but initially it did not appear to be part of the update to the Model 3 and Model Y in all European countries with the program 2022.4.5.5 or later 2022.4.5.11. In addition, the Tesla notes do not contain any information that the camera is now also used as an autopilot, as is the case in the United States.
Updating the camera as preparing the autopilot?
However, collecting photos of participating customers could pave the way for exactly that. After all, according to his script, Tesla wants not only internal videos to analyze accidents, but also to diagnose the camera if its work requires it (whatever exactly that is supposed to mean). So far, Tesla has checked whether force is detected on the steering wheel when using autopilot in Europe, as it has done in the United States. This is intended to ensure that the hands are placed on the wheel and at the same time the attention of the person in charge although assisted, is imprecise and can be circumvented relatively easily.
