Tesla Motors Club

Tesla’s Self-Driving Beta Fleet Is Generating An Immense Amount Of Data

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 01:07:35 GMT

Tesla is certainly taking a unique approach to self-driving tech, and it appears to be highly data-driven.

Tesla has been under the microscope and heavily scrutinized for years over its Autopilot advanced driver-assist system. This is due in part to the fact that Tesla is doing things very differently than other companies. It’s not using LIDAR and it uses Tesla owners as real-world testers.

Recently, Tesla released its Full Self-Driving Beta rewrite to a small group of “safe” drivers. We haven’t been officially filled in on how it picked the drivers or what the process looks like. However, it seems the drivers had to commit to some type of agreement, they have to drive scenarios and report back to Tesla. Some can share on social media. This has resulted in several Tesla owners out testing the feature heavily.

While input from Tesla owners should certainly help Tesla improve the technology, the immense amounts of data it’s collecting could prove even more beneficial. Tesla already has data from billions of miles of Autopilot driving across its entire fleet. It uses the data to improve the technology. Perhaps the data was the reason Tesla decided it needed to completely rewrite the software?

As these Full Self-Driving beta cars are being tested, Tesla is gathering data to help its neural networks. According to an article on Electrek, Tesla owners can keep track of their Wi-Fi connection to figure out how much data Tesla is getting from their car. After just one day of driving, beta tester James Locke said Tesla pulled almost 4 gigabytes of data from his Tesla.

Just got home after a solid day of beta FSD driving and the car is uploading like mad! 22.8 Mbps upload rate right now with 3.9GB already uploaded back to the Tesla mothership.
— James Locke (@arctechinc) October 24, 2020

The company has already pushed a new update to the Full Self-Driving beta fleet. We wonder if the update we a direct result of the data collection? As always, scroll down and fill us in with your insight in the comment section below.

Source: Electrek

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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SpaceX’s Starlink Constellation Grows to Nearly 900

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 00:59:27 GMT

SpaceX launched Saturday a batch of 60 Starlink satellites, growing the broadband-beaming constellation to nearly 900.

The launch marked the 15th for the Starlink program, which aims to deliver broadband internet service around the world.

The payload was carried by a Falcon 9 first stage booster that flew twice before, including a Starlink mission in September. SpaceX also successfully landed the booster aboard the “Just Read the Instructions” drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

It was the 55th successful orbital launch and landing and 43rd mission to use a flight-proven rocket.

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk said earlier this month that the company plans to roll out a public beta of its Starlink broadband service soon.

Musk said on Twitter that a “fairly wide” beta version of the service will be ready for action as soon as the latest satellites “reach their target position.” Musk said the service will provide internet to the northern United States and “hopefully” southern Canada.

Watch Saturday’s Starlink mission above.

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Tesla to Offer Subscription for Full Self-Driving

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 19:42:59 GMT

Tesla is planning a monthly subscription offering for its Full Self-Driving option, Chief Executive Elon Musk said in a tweet.

Tesla released the FSD beta this week to drivers it has identified as cautious. The company will continue to deploy the software to more drivers in coming weeks.

The price of FSD has steadily climbed even ahead of its availability. Musk announced on Twitter that the price of the company’s Full Self-Driving package will increase by $2,000 on Monday to $10,000. The price hike applies to both new vehicles and upgrades to cars customers already own.

Price change is pushed to Thursday next week. Applies only to US for now. One week clock will start in other countries as beta is released. FSD monthly rental will also be available sometime next year.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 22, 2020

Musk then updated the timeline on Thursday, tweeting that the price change will go into effect October 29. He said the change only applies to the U.S. for now and that a “one week clock will start in other countries as beta is released.”

A subscription service would be an interesting offering for Tesla owners, giving them the flexibility to pay for FSD when it makes sense in relation to their travel habits. FSD may not be necessary for your daily commute, but it might be nice for the summer road trip.

Musk didn’t offer any details about terms or pricing of an FSD subscription, only that it will be offered in 2021.

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PPF is Personal – Choose What’s Right for You

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 15:49:11 GMT

Level of protection, film finish, coverage areas…there’s a lot to consider after you’ve made that first important decision to get paint protection film for your Tesla. It can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Steer clear of confusion by focusing on three key aspects of PPF first, and keep in mind what matters most to you.

Premium or Premium with Added Protection?

It’s natural to want to look at PPF brands before choosing a specific product, but we recommend something different to help keep your head clear. Decide first whether you want a premium PPF, or a premium PPF with higher impact resistance. Here’s why: there are several strong PPF brands in the market, but only a few have thicker, sturdier products.

Here’s how to think about it: if you mostly drive on paved roads and don’t often see extreme weather, a premium product like SunTek Ultra will make you happy. But if you drive regularly on gravel and see long seasons of harsh weather, you’ll want a PPF engineered to take a beating, such as SunTek Ultra Defense.

Shiny Gloss or Velvety Matte?

PPF products that are identical except for the finish will perform equally well, so this choice is purely about style. If you love a slick, fresh-from-the-factory finish, glossy paint protection film is the way to go. It’s virtually invisible, making it nearly impossible to tell which areas are protected and which aren’t. This is key if you’re going for partial PPF coverage. If you want to make a major statement with your Tesla, consider a matte finish. Most people who go matte choose full coverage to transform their entire car with a head-turning custom look, but that’s not the only option here. If you’re really daring, you might go for a mix of matte and shine finishes.

Full or Partial PPF Coverage?

With PPF, you have the option to protect practically every smooth surface on your Tesla, or to shield select areas more prone to damage. Paint in protected and unprotected areas fades at the same rate, so your budget and tolerance of finish imperfections are what should drive the decision here. We understand it’s helpful to visualize coverage options, and you can do that right now with the PPF viewer on the SunTek website. When you check it out, be sure to select the sedan to see how PPF installations will look on a Tesla. Also interesting to note: our dealers report that full coverage is the most popular choice for Tesla owners.

Once you’ve tackled the three decisions here, you’ll be much closer to the day you get to enjoy the ultimate PPF payoff: a Tesla with pristine paint for thousands of miles, which holds its value. If you still have questions, though, post in the comments. We’re here to help you feel good about your PPF choices, love the results, and drive happily ever after.

Ready to protect your Tesla? Find a SunTek Dealer

Check out SunTek on Facebook and Instagram

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Tesla to Price Full Self-Driving Package at $10,000

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:28:45 GMT

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the price of the company’s Full Self-Driving package will increase by $2,000 on Monday October 26th.

The full price of FSD will now be $10,000. The price hike will apply to both new vehicles and upgrades to cars customers already own.

Now that Tesla FSD beta is out in limited release, FSD price (new or upgrade) will go up by ~$2k on Monday
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 22, 2020

Tesla has been saying that as its self-driving software becomes more capable, the price will grow. It’s not a huge surprise, but may be a motivator for owners who have not purchased FSD.

Tesla released the FSD beta this week to drivers it has identified as cautious. It will gradually deploy the software to more drivers in coming weeks.

Release notes on the update outline the exciting new features for Autopilot:

“When Full Self-Driving is enabled your vehicle will make lane changes off highway, select forks to follow your navigation route, navigate around other vehicles and objects, and make left and right turns. Use Full Self-Driving in limited Beta only if you will pay constant attention to the road, and be prepared to act immediately, especially around blind corners, crossings, intersections and in narrow driving situations.”

Musk has been saying for more than a year that the price of FSD would increase. In fact, he has said that the investment will actually turn into a money-maker for the car owner when Tesla enables its robotaxi service. There’s no set timeline for Tesla robotaxis, but the rollout of FSD is a big step.

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Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software Deployed to ‘Careful Drivers’

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:30:58 GMT

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving beta rolled out Tuesday night, according to a tweet form Chief Executive Elon Musk.

The new software is a substantial re-write of the automakers self-driving technology. Musk has been testing the update, calling the improvements “profound.”

“I think we’ll hopefully release a private beta of Autopilot, of the full self-driving version of Autopilot in, I think, a month or so, and then people will really understand just the magnitude of the change,” Musk said at Tesla’s recent Battery Day event. “It’s profound…you’ll see it. It’s just like a hell of a step change.”

Musk teased the Oct. 20 rollout earlier in the month, saying FSD would be released to a limited number of people identified as “expert and careful drivers.”

He reiterated that caution Tuesday, highlighting that the FSD beta is being released in an “extremely slow and cautious” manner.

FSD beta rollout happening tonight. Will be extremely slow & cautious, as it should.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 20, 2020

FSD has been a long wait for many who purchased the pricey option. Tesla hoped to release a feature-complete version of FSD update by the end of last year, but didn’t achieve that goal. It seems the company is finally taking that next step toward the fully autonomous car it promised.

Did you receive the update?

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GMC Hummer to Debut Tonight

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:15:12 GMT

The electric pickup market is starting to take form, with General Motors planning to debut Tuesday a hyped, electrified GMC truck borrowing the Hummer badge.

The truck has been teased since a Super Bowl ad in February. So far we’ve only seen a shadowy silhouette of the truck, a shape and a front end characteristic of GM’s previous consumer market Hummer.

GM has posted a few videos to its YouTube account that offer some ideas of what to expect.

The truck is said to pack 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 pound feet of torque, and speed from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds. Teaser videos of the truck show an open roof and a “crab mode,” which allows the vehicle to move diagonally.

The truck will be one of the first to market, expected to go into production in the fall.

The unveiling on Tuesday is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET across social media platforms and during the World Series broadcast.

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Tesla Updates Model 3 Range, Performance, Wheels

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 23:28:24 GMT

Tesla’s online configurator updated this week with some significant changes to the Model 3.

The refresh of the automaker’s most popular vehicle adds range, performance, a power trunk, and cosmetic updates to both the interior and exterior.

The Standard Range Model 3 went from 250 miles of range to 263 miles of range per charge. The Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD received 31 miles of new range to an EPA-rated 353 miles. The Model 3 Performance improved range from 299 miles to 315 miles.

The Model 3 is also quicker now. The Long Range Dual Motor AWD Model 3 improved its 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds to 4.2 seconds. The Model 3 Performance’s 0-60 mph improved from 3.2 to 3.1 seconds.

Tesla Model 3 Sport Wheels

The Model 3 also has new wheels. The 18” Aero Wheels have an updated design. Standard Range Plus and Long Range Dual Motor AWD versions can sport new 19” Sport Wheels. And, the much-anticipated 20” Uberturbine wheels are available for the Model 3 Performance.

Tesla has ditched the piano black finish on the center console in favor of a matte silver finish. Additionally, double pane glass and powered trunks are now available on all Model 3s.

The updates had been rumored for a while, but the updates went live Oct. 15.

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Model S Gets Second Price Cut This Week – Starts at $69,420

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 15:34:29 GMT

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said Wednesday that the company’s Model S sedan would now start at $69,420, the second price cut for the car in a week.

Tuesday, Tesla updated the price of the Model S to start at $71,990, seemingly in a move to spur sales in a year-end push. The vehicle started the year priced at $80,000.

The gauntlet has been thrown down!

The prophecy will be fulfilled.

Model S price changes to $69,420 tonight!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2020

Wednesday’s adjustment seemed to be motivated by a pricing announcement for the upcoming Lucid Air electric sedan. The base model will sell for $77,400 before incentives, so $69,900 after the federal tax credit.

Tesla vehicles no longer qualify for the tax credit, but the company has still priced the base Model S lower than the Lucid Air after incentives.

Musk seems to be dialing up the competition between Tesla and Lucid, which is expected to be Tesla’s first real challenger. The question is, will consumers buy a Tesla today, or wait for the base Lucid Air in 2022.

“The gauntlet has been thrown down!” Musk said in a tweet announcing the price change.

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Musk: 7-Seat Tesla Model Y Coming In December, Production Starts Next Month

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 02:07:48 GMT

Production to start next month and initial customer deliveries to follow in early December.

Elon Musk, when asked about the 7-seat version of the Tesla Model Y, announced that it’s coming “next month” and initial deliveries will follow “in early December.”

We guess that the volume will not be high at first, but it’s great to see that another version is coming as promised.

“Starting production on 7 seater next month, initial deliveries early December”

It will be interesting to see the 7-seat version of the Model Y, as many is wondering whether the additional two seats will accommodate anyone beside two children, how it will affect the trunk space and whether it will be safe?

Starting production on 7 seater next month, initial deliveries early December
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2020

If you are interested in the Tesla Model Y with two additional seats, check those two videos that tries to demonstrate how it might look like:

Anyway, the 7-seat option adds $3,000 to the price and is not yet available in the U.S. online design studio (it will be updated soon we assume).

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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Tesla Model 3 With 4680 Pack: Estimated Charging Time, Power, And Size

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:41:19 GMT

It appears charging times could be competitive with gas cars.

Tesla’s Battery Day presentation outlined big improvements in cost, energy, charging time, and pack size. We will show you our estimate of the new charging profile, an overlay of 2170 vs 4680 pack size, and an estimated cross-section of the new 4680 pack. We’ve also estimated the series-parallel cell configuration and a potential way Tesla will electrically connect the cells.

In a previous article (ref), we outlined the results of a preliminary thermal analysis that suggested that Tesla’s new 4680 pack would use a much simpler and easier to assemble flat plate cooling scheme and ditch the cooling snake in between the cells that they have been using since day one.

While Tesla didn’t specifically say it will go with flat plate cooling, it is strongly suggested for a number of reasons. The primary one being that you can’t effectively cool these larger diameter cells through the sides. The most effective way to cool the new tabless design is through the ends of the cells since the new tabless design provides a great thermal path between the cell cap and the inside of the cell.

The copper anode electrode plates themselves act as great cooling fins and provide nice uniform temperature distribution within the cell. The other reason we think flat plate cooling is likely is that Elon Musk said that the cells are glued to the bottom and top sheets of the pack. While his quote is in reference to added shear strength in the pack, we think the top and bottom sheets will also double as cooling plates. In the Model 3 pack, the cells are glued to the cooling snake.

Our analysis makes a direct comparison between the Model 3/Y 2170 pack and a theoretical 4680 pack. You may ask why we chose the Model 3 pack to make the comparison when Tesla has stated that the 4680 pack is primarily aimed at the Semi and Cybertruck and Model S Plaid. The reason we chose to make the comparison with the Model 3 pack is that we know a lot about the Model 3 pack, so it’s much easier to quantify the improvements against a known baseline than an unknown baseline in the case of the Semi and Cybertruck.

Summary

At 85 deg F ambient, calculated charging time from 10% to 80% with the 4680 pack was reduced from 25 minutes to 15 minutes. If you only need a 50% charge, you can be done in 7 minutes. That’s almost as fast as gas.

The estimated maximum charging rate increased from 250 kW with 2170 pack to 275 kW with the 4680 pack. The 275 kW charging rate holds constant from 10% to 50% state of charge where we begin to taper the charging rate. We begin to taper when the cells reach their temperature limit assumed to be 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) based on Model X data. The taper point is a function of ambient temperature since the A/C system’s performance decreases at higher ambient temperatures. The charging profile comparison is shown in figure 1 vs time and vs state of charge (SOC) in figure 2.

Above: A comparison between the 2170 pack charging profile and the estimated 4680 pack (time-based), credit Keith Ritter PE Engineered Compliance.

Above: A comparison between the 2170 pack charging profile and the estimated 4680 pack (SOC based), credit Keith Ritter PE Engineered Compliance.

We see a significant reduction in the size of the pack

Eliminating the cooling snake allows Tesla to pack the cells closer together. This is a plus because it reduces the polar moment of inertia and improves vehicle handling since the mass is concentrated more towards the center of the vehicle.

Above: 96S9P 76 kWh 4680 pack Credit Keith Ritter PE Engineered Compliance

Above: Overlay of the estimated 76 kWh 4680 pack on top of the 2170 Model 3 pack, Credit Keith Ritter PE, Engineered Compliance

Cross section of our estimated 4680 pack shows top and bottom flat plate cooling and cell electrical connections

We see a much simpler way of making the electrical connections in our estimated 4680 pack. We think Tesla will eliminate the “finger collector” concept with wire-welds etc. and go to a simple plate-based collector that can be directly welded to either the “tabless” anode or the cathode-connected can. To connect the + of one group to the – of the other, they go back to their Model S-based “Inverting” technique where they flip the cells of every other parallel cell group.

Above: Cross-section of estimated 4680 pack credit Keith Ritter PE Engineered Compliance

As previously stated, we estimate both a top cooling plate and a bottom cooling plate with the cell glued to the plate. The cooling plates would also provide shear strength to the pack. We estimate a 30%/70% split in heat transfer between the cathode (aluminum) end of the cell and the anode (copper) end of the cell.

Could Tesla get by with just a bottom plate? We think not. This issue is discussed in further depth in the detailed discussion below.

Detailed discussion

Our thermal electrical model includes all the specifics of the pack. Dimensions, cell dimension, amp-hour ratings, thermal conductivities, etc. One key ingredient is the resistance of the cell since this determines the cell heat generation (I squared R losses). Sean Mitchell did an excellent interview of Ravi Kempaiah wherein Ravi explained the resistance reduction for the new 4680 tabless cells. The presentation is linked above and the resistance discussion is at 8:11 in the video. Based on his presentation we used the 4680 initial internal resistance = 3 mOhms @ 10% SOC and tapering to 2 mOhms at 80% SOC. The 2170 cell was 23/20/20 mOhms. So we reduced the cell resistance by a factor of 10. This compares to a 5-20 times reduction that Tesla quoted in its patent app.

In addition, the refrigeration capacity is an input to the model. We chose to stick with the existing Model 3 refrigeration capacity of 2-3 tons (depending on ambient temperature). However, it is possible Tesla might increase its stack chiller and AC compressor sizes to provide better pack cooling.

The thermal mass of the pack also comes into play. During the first part of the charge at the maximum charge rate, the cell generates more heat than the refrigeration system can keep up with, so the pack begins to heat up. The thermal mass delays the onset of cell overtemperature as it stores the heat. When the cells reach their temperature limit (45C=113 F), we begin to taper the charge rate.

Figure 6 gives you an idea of how the heat rejection of the pack and the heat removal capability of the A/C system compare. Note the decreased A/C performance at higher ambient temperatures. This is why the initial taper point off of max charging power occurs at a lower SOC at higher ambient temperatures.

Above: A/C performance vs ambient temperature, credit Keith Ritter PE

Can Tesla get by with only a bottom cooling plate?

It would be simpler and lower cost to have only a bottom plate. Most (70%) of the heat goes out the copper (anode) ends of the cell. Why not orient all the parallel cell groups anode end down and just use a bottom plate?

The patent is pretty clear that only the copper current collector will get the “tabless” end treatment. The aluminum collector still only has a single tab at the middle-end of the jelly roll that connects to the can. It likely just gets too complicated to do crazy interleafing of segmented tabs at both ends at the same time.

The heat transfer calculations say the bottom-cooling-to-copper-only configuration could only do 70% of what top/bottom plates can do and would create a larger axial heat gradient. The negative tab terminal end will be the hot spot. If we put a second plate on, that provides cooling to the – tab can end, we shift the hot spot about 1/3 the way down axially and can extract 30% more heat at the same “hot spot” cell peak temperature.

Two plates mean less cell thermal stress/deterioration and better cell life. Tesla will be gluing in these cells for life: The million-mile-battery. If it will also be ramping up charging kW some more to stay “leading edge,” it HAS to do everything to ensure minimal thermal stress/degradation on these cells. A second cooling plate is cheap insurance. We think flipping the cells with every cell group also helps cell-to-cell conduction to spread-out the heat in the cells’ axial and reduce thermal gradients between “top” and “bottom.”

Sandy Munro, in one of his interview videos, also predicts there will be both top and bottom plates. He’s been spot-on about his forecasts for Tesla’s battery and structural changes so far.

*Thermal analysis credit:
Keith Ritter PE
Engineered Compliance
Energy Analysis
engineeredcompliance@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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Sandy Munro Says Tesla Shouldn’t Build A $25,000 Electric Car

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 01:01:21 GMT

He also mentioned the company is 10 years ahead of the competition in manufacturing.

There are private events that are so relevant they should have been public. This is the case of a recent Bernstein Research webinar that had Sandy Munro for a chat. Apart from saying Tesla is ten years ahead of the competition in manufacturing, the engineer also said Tesla should never do a $25,000 EV. Such a vehicle would pose more risks than benefits to Elon Musk’s automaker.

According to The Korea Times – which obtained a “fully edited transcript” of the webinar – Munro believes the affordable EV would make Tesla shareholders regret the decision both in market positioning and profits.

The engineer said most Tesla buyers want “all of the bells and whistles” the company has to offer. So much so that Tesla did not sell that many Model 3 Standard Range units and canceled the Model Y in that trim level.

Munro did not mention that in this webinar, but there is a similar case related to Porsche. Although the Cayenne saved the company, it brought to its dealerships a totally different sort of customer. While most 911 owners would give their cars the best money could buy, Cayenne owners often complained that the SUV ate tires for breakfast and asked for lower prices for replacements.

Tesla itself saw the level of service at Service Centers drop with the introduction of the Model 3. Owners of the Model S and Model X frequently say they miss the Tesla they knew before that. People with less money to spend will also be more sensitive to suspension flaws and quality issues, such as the ones Tesla currently presents. In other words, Munro has a strong point of saying that.

The engineer said shareholders would see no sense in struggling to produce a cheaper vehicle with tighter profit margins while Tesla could be making more expensive cars that are sold out without effort. Remember, Tesla does not invest in advertising.

Tesla managed to reduce battery pack prices from the $156 revealed by the Model 3 teardown to $108 on the Model Y’s. Even so, Munro doubts Tesla could sell a cheaper vehicle for less than $32,000 for a profit despite its advancements in manufacturing.

Speaking of which, Munro said Tesla is at least ten years ahead of the competition for its method of applying improvements on the fly to production cars. According to the engineer, Tesla cranks out “a product that’s probably 90 percent, 95 percent there” and follows the strategy of “then basically waiting until customers complained and then changing things rapidly.”

Although that may make Tesla more agile than other companies, it comes at the expense of having its fans say the company sells prototype vehicles, not series-production automobiles.

Munro would follow exactly the same strategy, but he wouldn’t make a $25,000 EV. Is he right about the former and wrong about the latter? Totally right? Totally wrong? Feel free to comment that below.

Source: The Korea Times via TorqueNews, and Business Insider

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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Tesla Model S Price Cut to $71,900

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 18:17:29 GMT

Tesla’s Model S received a price chop Tuesday, with the automaker’s flagship sedan now starting at $71,900.

Since Tesla now has a couple lower priced options in the Model 3 and Model Y, the pricier Model S and Model X have seen slower sales. Deliveries of Model S and Model X were 15,200 in Q3, down from as many as 27,660 vehicles in Q3 2018.

The new $3,000 price cut will apply to both the Model S Long Range Plus and Performance. The price of the upcoming Model S Plaid remains $139,990.

The price change may make the Model S more appealing to some buyers, as the larger sedan now comes closer in price to the top of the line Model 3 Performance. It’s a timely change as Tesla makes push its final push to meet sales goals by the end of the year.

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Musk: Autopilot’s Full Self-Driving Feature to Debut Next Week

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 13:43:09 GMT

After years of promising a Full Self-Driving feature, Tesla will finally roll out the feature to select customers next week.

Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Twitter that a limited FSD beta will be available Tuesday, October 20.

FSD will initially be released to a limited number of people identified as “expert and careful drivers,” according to Musk’s post.

Limited FSD beta releasing on Tuesday next week, as promised. This will, at first, be limited to a small number of people who are expert & careful drivers.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 12, 2020

Last month Musk teased that an FSD beta would be coming in October and offer an undeniably improved experience.

FSD is certainly a long time coming and it will be interesting to see how drastically it improves the Autopilot experience.

Do you think 2021 is the year for Tesla’s previously promised coast-to-coast FSD trip?

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Check Out the Rivian-Amazon Delivery Van

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 20:23:32 GMT

Amazon has offered a look at the Rivian-designed van that will electrify its delivery fleet.

In addition to ordering 100,000 vans from Rivian, Amazon is also an investor.

In a blog post, Amazon showed one of three different models customized with Rivian to “enhance the driver experience and optimize safety.”

“When we set out to create our first customized electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle,” Ross Rachey, Director of Amazon’s Global Fleet and Products, said in a release. “We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighborhood and pulling up to their home. We combined Rivian’s technology with our delivery logistics knowledge, and the result is what you see here-the future of last mile delivery.”

According to the release, the van’s features include:

State-of-the-art sensor detection, a suite of highway and traffic assist technology, and a large windshield to enhance driver visibility.
Exterior cameras around the vehicle that are linked to a digital display inside the cabin, giving the driver a 360-degree view outside the vehicle.
Alexa integration for hands-free access to route information and the latest weather updates.
A strengthened door on the driver’s side for additional protection.
A “dancefloor” inside the driver’s cabin for easy movement inside the van.
Bright tail lights surrounding the rear of the vehicle to easily detect braking.
Three levels of shelving with a bulkhead door, which can easily be opened and closed for additional driver protection while on the road.

Rivian is set to start production next year on its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S sport utility vehicle. To date, Rivian has raised nearly $6 billion, including strategic capital from companies like Ford, Amazon, and Cox Automotive in 2019.

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Musk Says Giga Berlin Will Be Testbed For New Tesla Technologies

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:40:33 GMT

The German Model Y will have 4680 batteries, the new body structure, and more.

Elon Musk clarified a lot of previous doubts we had with a single tweet. The main one was why Fremont did not get the “world’s most advanced paint shop” before Giga Berlin if it still produces vehicles with paint issues. Apparently, Tesla wants to use the German factory as a testbed for all the technologies it has presented at Tesla Battery Day.

When we say all, we really mean it, as you can see in the tweets below:

We do expect to make heavy use of LFP for medium range cars & stationary storage
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2020

According to Musk, the European Model Y will use the 4680 cells, but not only that. It will also have the structural battery pack, the mega castings for the front and rear parts of the body, and also the innovative paint process Geico Taikisha offers.

Musk also confirmed LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries would play a major role in medium-range vehicles and stationary storage. In other words, the $25,000 car it plans to build and even a hypothetical Model Y Standard Range will have these LFP batteries. The Model 3 made in Shanghai already uses them.

Tesla LFP Model 3 (Standard Range) Made in China are rolling off Shanghai now.

LFP is naturally cobalt free anyway: balancing low cost (using iron and phosphate) with range is key here… it’s not about cobalt

Read Tesla’s strategy: https://t.co/pDbdPuf5d2
— Simon Moores (@sdmoores) September 30, 2020

However, that is not the most important part of the message. Musk also said Giga Berlin would test all these technologies, “which means significant production risk.” If they prove to be worth it, Fremont and Giga Shanghai will follow two years later. The reasoning behind that is interesting, but also risky.

Considering the US and China are Tesla’s biggest markets, Musk does not want to take any chances in them. Production will continue the way it currently is to ensure both of them receive the vehicles they want.

Giga Berlin will not have that urgency. Although Europe is important, it can be supplied by China or by the US in case anything goes wrong. In other words, it is the safest location to test these new technologies.

However, that strategy can backfire if Tesla is not able to ensure quality levels that will keep European customers interested. If the structural battery increases insurance costs, that could be a problem.

If the 4680 battery presents any issue, consumer protection entities in Europe can make Tesla’s life in that continent harder than solely with competitors with which consumers there are more used to, such as Volkswagen. What if the world’s most advanced paint shop does not work as Geico Taikisha intends it to due to Tesla’s specifications?

A recent issue in a German court with Tesla’s wiper commands on the Model 3 already gives us an idea of all that could go wrong with this approach. Although it looks safe, it will probably demand the company to change its “deliver now, fix later” strategy.

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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Public Beta for Starlink Internet Service Coming Soon

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 13:22:23 GMT

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk said the company plans to roll out a public beta of its Starlink broadband service soon.

Musk said on Twitter that a “fairly wide” beta version of the service will be ready for action as soon as the latest satellites “reach their target position.”
Musk said the service will provide internet to the northern United States and “hopefully” southern Canada.

SpaceX is building a constellation of satellites to beam internet service around the world. Musk has said Starlink will require about 12,000 satellites to reach that scale. SpaceX tweeted earlier this month that initial tests of Starlink show speeds capable of streaming “multiple HD movies at once and still have bandwidth to spare.”

SpaceX has grown the Starlink constellation to around 800 satellites to date, including 60 that were delivered Tuesday in the 13th Starlink mission to date.

Once these satellites reach their target position, we will be able to roll out a fairly wide public beta in northern US & hopefully southern Canada. Other countries to follow as soon as we receive regulatory approval.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 6, 2020

A tweet last week from Washington state’s Military Department and Emergency Management Division revealed the first known application of the service. Starlink was employed to provide service to emergency responders battling wildfires in Washington state. SpaceX Chief Executive Musk replied, saying the company is “prioritizing emergency responders & locations with no Internet connectivity at all.”

Photo: SpaceX

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Tesla Working on Driver Monitoring System

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:47:59 GMT

Editor’s note: This headline was updated. A previous version implied interior cameras are already in use.

A Tesla hacker has uncovered new details about the rearview-mirror-embedded camera in the company’s vehicles. He says the cameras are trained to recognize facial movements, which could impact decisions from the car’s computers.

The discovery was posted to Twitter by @greentheonly.

Among the things the cameras are observing are: BLINDED, DARK, EYES_CLOSED, EYES_DOWN, EYES_NOMINAL, EYES_UP, HEAD_DOWN, HEAD_TRUNC, LOOKING_LEFT, LOOKING_RIGHT, PHONE_USE, SUNGLASSES_EYES_LIKELY_NOMINAL, and SUNGLASSES_LIKELY_EYES_DOWN.

In case you were wondering what does the selfie camera in model 3 currently try to detect:
BLINDED
DARK
EYES_CLOSED
EYES_DOWN
EYES_NOMINAL
EYES_UP
HEAD_DOWN
HEAD_TRUNC
LOOKING_LEFT
LOOKING_RIGHT
PHONE_USE
SUNGLASSES_EYES_LIKELY_NOMINAL
SUNGLASSES_LIKELY_EYES_DOWN
— green (@greentheonly) October 4, 2020

These observations seem to judge how engaged someone is behind the wheel, or if their driving may be hampered because they’re on the phone or wearing sunglasses. Further, it aims to detect serious problems, such as a driver with their eyes closed.

Having a camera observe the cabin of the car, particularly the person behind the wheel, makes sense for the safety of Tesla’s planned Full Self Driving feature, but some owners may not be comfortable with the constant surveillance. It’s not clear when Tesla may start collecting such information or how they will request owners’ permission.

In the meantime, as Tesla continues to develop its self-driving capabilities, the ability to detect the alertness of the driver seems important to both safety and research for the technology.

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Elon Musk: Tesla Model S Plaid To Have Structural Battery, 4680 Cells

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:36:54 GMT

And the latest 4680 lithium-ion cells will make up the structure.

Elon Musk has confirmed today that the upcoming Tesla Model S Plaid, scheduled for late 2021, will be equipped with the all-new structural battery pack, consisting of the all-new 4680 lithium-ion cells, announced at Tesla Battery Day.

Tesla‘s CEO answered Whole Mars Catalog’s question “will plaid s have a structural pack? I assume the extra power of the 4680 cells helps?”, with a simple “Yeah.”

Yeah
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2020

That would explain why the Model S Plaid is not yet ready for the market launch. The company is waiting for the 4680 cells/structural packs to be ready, and the plan is late 2021.

This is by the way the same timeline as for the Tesla Cybertruck, and not far away from Tesla Semi.

The 4680 is a new type of cylindrical cells, currently under development by Tesla. It will store five times more energy, should allow to increase range by 16% (so we expect a corresponding energy density/lower losses) and offer up to six times the power output. The power output and the limited overheating are one of the key factors for the high-performance Plaid car.

The cells to be used in new structural battery to further lower the weight and by the way increase the stiffness of the car.

Solely the new cell design and battery integration with the car allows to increase the range by up to roughly 30%, without changes in the battery chemistry.

That would explain why the Plaid’s projected range is 520+ miles, compared to 402 miles (EPA) in the top of the range Model S Long Range. That’s 29.3% more.

Tesla Model S Plaid

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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Tesla Q3 2020 Production And Deliveries: 145,036 Produced, 139,300 Delivered

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:27:16 GMT

The numbers are record-setting and show that Tesla continues to ramp up sales.

Tesla has just released its Q3 2020 production and delivery report, so the numbers are now in. See how Tesla fared this quarter right here.

At 139,300 global deliveries of the Model Y, Model 3, Model S and Model X combined, Tesla seems to have met expectations and actually set an all-time delivery record last quarter. The target numbers ranged from about 137,000 to 142,000, so Tesla came out on track or as expected.

Here’s the graphic showing the figures:

For Q3 2020, Tesla lists Model 3/Y deliveries at 124,100. Meanwhile, the combined Model S and Model X deliveries hit 15,200.

The production itself was 145,036 in total.

On the production front, Tesla says Model 3/Y production hit 128,044 for Q3, while Model S and X were at 16,992 combined.

Congrats to Tesla on achieving such outstanding record-setting results. Hopefully, this will again lead to another profitable quarter for Tesla.

Tesla’s best quarter so far was Q4 2019, with 112,000 units delivered. September 2020 is also the best month in Tesla’s history, with deliveries of around 65,000 EVs.

Tesla adds:

In terms of days of sales, new vehicle inventory declined further in Q3 as we continue to improve our delivery efficiency.
Our net income and cash flow results will be announced along with the rest of our financial performance when we announce Q3 earnings. Our delivery count should be viewed as slightly conservative, as we only count a car as delivered if it is transferred to the customer and all paperwork is correct. Final numbers could vary by up to 0.5% or more. Tesla vehicle deliveries represent only one measure of the company’s financial performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of quarterly financial results, which depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of sales, foreign exchange movements and mix of directly leased vehicles.

This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

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