New Blind Spot Monitoring Feature, Supercharger Improvements

Tesla recently released their next update, version 2024.44, to employees. While the update hasn’t passed employee testing yet, thanks to a reader, we have our first look at the features in Tesla’s next major update.

Keep in mind that this is not Tesla’s Christmas update but simply the update before the big holiday extravaganza. The holiday update is expected to be version 2024.44.25 and will bring additional features.

The release notes were translated into English, so they may differ slightly when the update is released. These features are also for a 2024 Model 3 in Europe, so there may be additional changes that are restricted to other regions or specific to other models.

Cold Weather Improvements

I’m not sure we ever want to see “Cold Weather Improvements” after that’s all we saw in our release notes for six months a couple of years ago, but Tesla has added some Supercharging improvements in colder weather in this update.

Thanks to improvements to the battery’s management system, the vehicle will now Supercharge faster. It sounds like Tesla will now prioritize warming up the battery for faster Supercharging in cold weather.

In addition, Tesla’s automatic defogging feature has been improved before and after using a Supercharger.

The translated release notes say:

“Battery Preconditions have been improved to provide better Supercharging, as well as better automatic windshield defogging before, during, and after Supercharging.”

Trailer Friendly Superchargers

This has been a hotly requested feature for those who tow, and Tesla has been installing tow-friendly Supercharger spots around the world near highways. Unhooking your trailer just to charge is annoying, especially if it’s cold outside. We’re excited to see this one show up—it’ll be a boon for those who tow regularly. Tesla describes the feature in the release notes as:

“You can now see if a Supercharger has trailer-compatible spaces. Tap a Supercharger location pin on the map to see if it is trailer-friendly. If your vehicle is in Tow Mode, trailer-friendly Supercharger locations will appear at the top of the list.”

Blind Spot Warning While Parked

In the release notes, Tesla states:

“If you try to open a door while an approaching object is detected in your blind spot (e.g. a cyclist or other vehicle), the blind spot warning light will flash, an audio warning will sound, and the door will not open on the first press of the bottom. Wait, and then press the button again to override the warning.”

In Tesla’s 2024.26.9 update, Tesla added a feature very similar to this exclusively in China. This appears to be the same feature that’s already available in China and is now available for other regions with some improvements.

Tesla says that if a vehicle door handle button is pressed, the vehicle’s Blind Spot Warning Light (currently the 2024 Model 3 and the Cybertruck) near the front speaker will illuminate.

Instead of relying on the blind spot warning light, Tesla has now added an audible tone when a driver or passenger tries to open the door, and an object is in the way.

This object detection includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and “other objects.” We’re not quite sure what fits into the “other objects” category, but likely things that FSD picks up on normally – including traffic cones, bollards, and other large obstacles.

If you try to open your door and there’s an object in the way, the vehicle will sound a warning and the door won’t open. If you press it again, then you’ll override the warning and the vehicle door will open. However, this will only happen with the electronic door buttons and not the mechanical lever in the front doors.

This feature will be optional. Users can enable or disable it under Controls > Safety. What’s not clear is whether this feature will only be available for the Cybertruck and the 2024 Model 3, which feature the blind spot warning lights in the front speaker grills, or if Tesla will add it to all vehicles with some sort of on-screen warning.

Many people requested this feature after seeing a viral video of a Mercedes vehicle doing something similar. Well, Tesla has done it with a simple software update rather than a model year revision, so kudos to the Tesla AI team for keeping both vehicle occupants and other road users safe.

Other Updates

Tesla has included other small improvements in update 2024.44, which include:

• Improved battery energy estimation for better accuracy during your drives.

• Navigation voiceovers are now available in Czech. Go to Controls > Display > Language to change the voiceover language.

• Battle for Polytopia has received the Aquarion Rework Update. Amphibious mermaids can assault both land and sea, while sharks, jellies, and forgotten cities are at the bottom of the ocean.

• Important security measures and improvements have been added.

• Minor fixes and performance improvements.

Release Date

The Tesla 2024.38 update has started rolling out in large waves recently. Currently, about 27% of the Tesla fleet has access to the update.

Keep in mind that this upcoming version is not Tesla’s holiday update, which will likely come in update 2024.44.25. Tesla typically releases their big Christmas update with a “202x.44.25” version. This coming update will be the last update for Tesla owners before the Christmas update, which is expected to be filled with new features, including Apple Watch support.

We expect this 2024.44 update to start rolling out to the public in the next week or two.

According to a recent NHTSA filing of which vehicles contain the most North American parts, Tesla’s vehicles are, unsurprisingly, the most North American made vehicles. This specifically includes parts produced and sourced from the US and Canada for 2025 models.

Let’s take a look at just how American Tesla’s vehicles are.

Cars

The vast majority of Tesla’s part content is produced within the US and Canada. Tesla holds a tie for first place with Honda. The Model 3 Long Range AWD and RWD are in first place alongside the Honda Ridgeline AWD TrailSport, with 75% of their parts being created in North American.

Tesla also ties for second place at 70% with the Model 3 Performance and Model Ys, alongside a good chunk of Honda’s other vehicles.

The Model S and Model X are closely following at 65% and 60% respectively. It is still more than many other auto manufacturers, some of whom are sporting 1% North American part rates. 

Here’s the table of Tesla’s vehicles.

Cybertruck vs Other Trucks

We felt the Cybertruck deserved its own category. While the Cybertruck doesn’t hold the crown for most North American truck – that goes to the Honda Ridgeline at 75%, it does hold second place at 65%. Other EV trucks of note are far less North American – with the Sierra EV at 36%, and the F-150 Lightning at 29%. 

The most interesting takeaway from this is that the car manufacturers that you’d assume would be most American – the Detroit Big Three – are in fact some of the least American you can find. Tesla, on the other hand, holds the crown for most North American made cars – while also being based in the United States.

We’re looking forward to Tesla further increasing their North American content percentage as they continue to bring battery cells and other components that aren’t already made in North America ashore at their various plants, including the upcoming Lithium Refinery Plant in Robstown, Texas.

A third-party company called Teslogic, which previously built dashboard kits for Tesla vehicles has launched a Kickstarter for something completely unexpected: a full-bore infotainment replacement for your vehicle.

Screenmate completely transforms your Tesla display from its limited entertainment options into a full-fledged productivity and entertainment hub. But it’s not only for entertainment; Screenmate has built an entire OS that’s capable of controlling most aspects of your Tesla.

Since the unit plugs into your vehicle, it can control various aspects of your vehicle, including charging, operating the glove box, folding mirrors, and even new options Tesla doesn’t include, like preheating your battery or controlling your seats directly from the display.

This is an extremely attractive option that has a fast, intuitive user interface. It even includes CarPlay and Android Auto support.

This could be a good option if you want better access to third-party apps, different navigation options, or even more gaming from within your Model 3 or Model Y.

Features

Screenmate is essentially an add-on computer for your Tesla. It takes over the main display, but it can also pass through information from the original infotainment computer, like the FSD visualization.

They’ve also got an updated little top dock that shows all the key car information all the time, including speed, Autopilot / FSD status, speed limit, battery, and the power meter.

App Integration

Screenmate offers a whole host of new apps – pretty much anything available on an Android tablet will be available here. Think better integrations for Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, TIDAL, and others. That’s on top of productivity apps like Zoom, Teams, and even stuff like Microsoft Office or Google Docs.

Navigation Enhancements

Tesla’s navigation system is pretty smart – but a few things are missing that people really would like. Some of these include better information for traffic cameras, speed traps, and other things – usually items available through crowd-sourcing apps like Waze. Screenmate will let you use Waze or another navigation app, and even allow you to display it full screen without having the Autopilot visualizations getting in the way.

While their Kickstarter doesn’t go into too much detail, there could be some shortcomings, such as whether FSD could leverage the routing that you pick on the screen. FSD uses Tesla’s internal routing and also makes its own decisions on the fly, which are likely not displayed here.

Gaming on the Go

Ever since Tesla killed Steam gaming on the Model S and Model X, gaming has been on a steady decline in Tesla vehicles. Screenmate allows you to play most games available through the Android app store or pass through video from a gaming console. Since the Screenmate has a video input, you can display content from almost any device onto the vehicle’s display, including a Nintendo Switch, your phone, or another device.

Streamlined Controls

Screenmate adds an interesting new feature—a control panel for your Tesla. It adds a customizable dock of quick-access options for things you’d normally have to dig into a menu for. You can pull it up with a simple swipe from the left.

This is a feature we’d love to see Tesla add in the future. And the best part? It offers a bunch of features you normally can’t access, like preheating your battery for third-party charging.

Social Media

One thing missing from Tesla’s infotainment is messaging apps—Discord, Slack, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp—the whole host, really—to display their notifications on the screen. Tesla’s infotainment can only show text messages from your phone.

In addition, there’s little to no integration for social media in general. While you can access X or Facebook through a browser, it’s not a great experience.

Since Screenmate can run Android apps, you have access to all of these apps, and they even include notification support.

Carplay and Android Auto

For those who can’t live without Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Screenmate offers access to both via a simple wireless or wired connection.

Front Wireless Camera

Teslogic sells a separate wireless front camera which can be integrated directly into the Tesla display if you’ve got Screenmate. It even pops up like the Cybertruck’s front camera.

This is a great feature for people who park in tight spaces. On the other hand, Tesla is likely going to add front bumper cameras to the Model Y Juniper, and also the Model S and Model X.

Pricing & Release Date

Screenmate is on Kickstarter. While Teslogic is a real company that ships products, Kickstarters are at the backer’s risk. That means they technically could not ship a product, and you won’t receive a refund. However, it seems that Teslogic already has all its prototyping done and is ready to move into production.

So, with that warning aside, the Screenmate starts at $599 USD ($830 CAD) with the early bird package, which is available right now. The intended retail price after launch is approximately $890 USD.

Teslogic says the estimated delivery date is around May 2025, so that’s not too far away for those willing to back a Kickstarter campaign. Installation appears to be pretty simple: It’s plugged into the MCU serial buses under and behind the glove box.

You can check out the Kickstarter here.

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