Tesla hints at Boombox v2 in their latest app update
Tesla
In the tech-driven landscape of the automobile industry, Tesla remains a key player, consistently introducing features that shape the future of mobility. This trend continues, as seen in the most recent update to the Tesla app, thanks to the in-depth analysis by @Tesla_App_iOS.
This Twitter account specializes in reviewing and interpreting updates from the Tesla app on the Apple AppStore. Its latest findings include references to promising features such as Boombox v2 and Self Park Standby Mode, providing clues to the possible roadmap of Tesla's development.
A nod to "MOBILE_APP_FEATURE_BOOMBOX_V2" within the decompiled code piques curiosity. It indicates that Tesla's unique Boombox feature, which allows drivers to personalize their vehicle's horn and driving sounds, may be in line for an upgrade. Furthermore, this hint within the app suggests that Tesla plans to allow users to control this feature directly from their mobile devices.
Self Park Standby Mode: Taking Autonomy to New Heights
Also among the uncovered codes is a reference to "Self Park Standby Mode." This term aligns with the previously hinted Park Seek feature, indicating a future where Tesla vehicles could drop passengers off at the door and then autonomously find a parking spot. This highly anticipated feature, expected to be activated through the app, will further enhance the autonomous capabilities of Tesla vehicles.
Tesla Stories: A New Frontier for Engagement?
Within the decompiled code, there were intriguing entries related to Tesla Stories. The details remain unclear, but the name hints at the possibility of a feature allowing owners to share their Tesla experiences or adventures. This could even evolve into a platform within the Tesla app for owners to connect and engage with each other.
Delving Deeper into the Code
Among the various updates unearthed in the decompiled code, several others stand out:
This term suggests an app-based view into the Full Self-Driving suspension state, potentially offering users more information on their suspension status.
GUI_ADAPTIVE_RIDE_REQUEST and GUI_LANE_ASSIST_LEVEL: These intriguing entries hint at adaptive ride request capabilities and enhanced lane assist controls, potentially signaling further enhancements to Tesla's user interface and autonomous driving features.
MCU_BOARD_NAME and FEATURE_EGG_WOT_ENABLED
Although these terms remain cryptic, they hint at hidden features ("Easter Eggs") and possible hardware updates, reinforcing Tesla's reputation for continual innovation.
With each app update, Tesla showcases its focus on advancing the automotive user experience. The anticipated upgrades, such as Boombox v2 and Self Park Standby Mode, speak to this commitment. However, the transition from code reference to implemented feature often involves future development, QA, and refinement. Therefore, it remains to be seen how these potential updates will translate into the day-to-day use of Tesla vehicles.
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Tesla recently hit the news for purchasing approximately $2M in LiDAR sensors from Luminar, one of Tesla’s long-term suppliers. You’ve probably seen photos of Tesla’s Semi and various Tesla models, including the Model 3 and Model Y sporting LIDAR equipment on the roof. These cars drive around with manufacturer plates scanning streets and highways.
However, many people confuse Tesla’s purpose in purchasing LiDAR equipment with using it for FSD versus testing. So, let’s look at what LiDAR is, and why Tesla uses it on its Fleet Validation Vehicles.
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR stands for Light Detecting and Ranging – essentially using lasers to measure distances. A laser pulse is sent out, and the time it takes to return is measured – providing extremely accurate distance measurements.
Some companies working on self-driving vehicles, including Waymo and BYD, use LiDAR as part of their self-driving suites, but Tesla is one of the few stand-outs that does not. Even Rimac’s “Verne” Robotaxi – which uses self-driving technology from Mobileye, also uses LiDAR.
While LiDAR can produce extremely accurate and high-quality 3D environments, it comes with its downsides as well. Not only is LiDAR costly and requires large gear strapped to a vehicle, but it also can not be used in bad weather and can have interference issues if there are other strong light sources present.
Why Does Tesla Use LiDAR?
A LiDAR rig mounted on a Tesla Semi for testing FSD.
Not a Tesla App
At Autonomy Day in 2019, Elon Musk mentioned that LiDAR isn’t the solution for self-driving cars – it's just a crutch. Thus, Tesla hasn’t used LiDAR for any production self-driving software.
Instead, Tesla uses it exactly how it's described – they use it to gather ground-truth data. This data is then used to feed Tesla’s Full Self Driving system – which helps validate its vision-only system's accuracy. LiDAR provides very accurate measurements to help ensure that FSD’s perception of space is accurate – and is only used by Tesla to ensure that its AI technology which is the brains of FSD is capable of accurately interpreting depth from just visual data.
While sources other than Bloomberg haven't confirmed this report, Bloomberg has a positive track record of reporting on financial decisions. We’ll be sure to update the article if there is confirmation on X from Elon Musk or another Tesla senior official.
Tesla’s stock has dropped nearly 8.5% over the day, ending back-to-back gains over the last two weeks. It closed yesterday at $ 241 after hitting a peak of $270 earlier in the day before the news broke.
Why the Delay?
The delay – of approximately two months – has been communicated internally, but not publicly announced just yet. Bloomberg goes on to mention that the design team was told to rework certain elements of the Cybercab, necessitating the delay.
If Bloomberg’s report is correct, it sounds like Tesla’s unveil event will be largely focused on showing off the vehicle, instead of demoing how it will work. Of course, it could still be both, but given past events, Tesla has always shown off the vehicle years before it hits production.
Rimac recently showed off their version of robotaxi vehicle named Verne, and surprisingly, it could almost pass for Tesla’s own robotaxi. A lot of design cues in Rimac’s version are elements we have already seen or expect to see in Tesla’s autonomous taxi.
A recent Tesla patent revealed that Tesla is incorporating a sanitation system into their robotaxi that will be responsible for analyzing and cleaning the vehicle’s interior, although the delay itself is likely tied more to a physical feature rather than software.
Another element we know almost nothing about is how Tesla plans to charge these robotic taxis. Will they rely on the existing charge port and adapt a solution like the robotic charging arm (video below) we saw almost eight years ago, or will wireless charging or a dock finally become realized?
While the delay for Tesla’s event appears to be related to the vehicle’s design itself and not further development of FSD, Tesla is wasting no time in getting FSD working for the upcoming vehicle. Model 3 vehicles have already been spotted with camera locations that resemble a robotaxi.
Is the Delay Accurate?
We expect that this delay might actually be true – Elon Musk usually takes to X within hours of such news breaking if it's false to refute it and hasn’t done so yet.
Tesla has delayed several of their events in the past, and a delay of a couple of months seems plausible. We should hear from Musk himself soon on whether this report is accurate.
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Although we share official Tesla release notes, we are not affiliated with Tesla Motors. We are Tesla fans and supporters.