Connect with us

News

Tesla Cybertruck delivers art exhibit parts, Powerwall 3 and Solar Roof

Credit: San Francisco Parks Alliance

Published

on

Tesla has highlighted its use of the Cybertruck to deliver part of an art installation in California, along with a Powerwall 3 and a Solar Roof used to keep the exhibit lit 24 hours a day.

Entwined: Elder Mother is an interactive art installation by industrial artist Charles Gadeken, as housed in Peacock Meadow within San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. As highlighted by the Tesla North America account on X on Thursday, the glowing, industrial tree exhibit utilizes a Powerwall 3 and a Solar Roof to keep its lights on all the time.

In addition to powering the installation, Tesla used a Cybertruck to deliver some of the installation’s hardware, along with the Powerwall and the Solar Roof. The Cybertruck delivery seems only fitting, as the tree’s trunk features a similar geometric stainless steel look to Tesla’s unique electric pickup. The exhibit was created by Gadeken at local maker space, The Box Shop, as featured by Tesla.

In the video, you can see the Cybertruck with a trailer at The Box Shop as it’s loaded up with some components from the installation, as well as the Powerwall 3 and Solar Roof materials. It also shows brief shots of the hardware being assembled and powered on at the site, along with shots of the vibrant electric “tree” being played on by kids and displaying its vibrant array of color gradients.

According to the San Francisco Parks Alliance, Gadeken’s installation is a shade-bearing tree that moves with the wind, featuring glowing cubed orbs, or “leaves,” at the end of its branches. The tree trunk is a 30-foot metal sculpted structure, with the height of the electric canopy standing at about 25 feet.

In addition, the installation includes six QR codes that users can scan to control the lighting patterns of the tree’s “leaves,” offering an interactive atmosphere that highlights renewability with its use of solar power. The installation is on display until April 28, 2024, in Golden Gate Park’s Peacock Meadow.

Although Tesla hasn’t yet made the next-generation Powerwall 3 available, it has listed the official specs for the hardware on its website, suggesting that its official release may come soon. Despite it not being officially available, Tesla has been quietly installing Powerwall 3 units since at least September.

The news also comes just as Tesla has been delivering early Cybertruck units this month, with the automaker offering a limited “Foundation Series” launch edition of the vehicle following a delivery event on November 30.

Advertisement
-->

Tesla drops Powerwall 2 price ahead of next-gen launch

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Zach is a renewable energy reporter who has been covering electric vehicles since 2020. He grew up in Fremont, California, and he currently lives in Colorado. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, KRON4 San Francisco, FOX31 Denver, InsideEVs, CleanTechnica, and many other publications. When he isn't covering Tesla or other EV companies, you can find him writing and performing music, drinking a good cup of coffee, or hanging out with his cats, Banks and Freddie. Reach out at zach@teslarati.com, find him on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) testing gains major ground in Spain

Based on information posted by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), it appears that Tesla is already busy testing FSD in the country.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) program is accelerating across Europe, with Spain emerging as a key testing hub under the country’s new ES-AV framework program.

Based on information posted by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), it appears that Tesla is already busy testing FSD in the country.

Spain’s ES-AV framework

Spain’s DGT launched the ES-AV Program in July 2025 to standardize testing for automated vehicles from prototypes to pre-homologation stages. The DGT described the purpose of the program on its official website.

“The program is designed to complement and enhance oversight, regulation, research, and transparency efforts, as well as to support innovation and advancements in automotive technology and industry. This framework also aims to capitalize on the opportunity to position Spain as a pioneer and leader in automated vehicle technology, seeking to provide solutions that help overcome or alleviate certain shortcomings or negative externalities of the current transportation system,” the DGT wrote. 

The program identifies three testing phases based on technological maturity and the scope of a company’s operations. Each phase has a set of minimum eligibility requirements, and applicants must indicate which phase they wish to participate in, at least based on their specific technological development.

Advertisement
-->
Credit: DGT

Tesla FSD tests

As noted by Tesla watcher Kees Roelandschap on X, the DGT’s new framework effectively gives the green flight for nationwide FSD testing. So far, Tesla Spain has a total of 19 vehicles authorized to test FSD on the country’s roads, though it would not be surprising if this fleet grows in the coming months.

The start date for the program is listed at November 27, 2025 to November 26, 2027. The DGT also noted that unlimited FSD tests could be done across Spain on any national route. And since Tesla is already in Phase 3 of the ES-AV Program, onboard safety operators are optional. Remote monitoring would also be allowed. 

Tesla’s FSD tests in Spain could help the company gain a lot of real-world data on the country’s roads. Considering the scope of tests that are allowed for the electric vehicle maker, it seems like Spain would be one of the European countries that would be friendly to FSD’s operations. So far, Tesla’s FSD push in Europe is notable, with the company holding FSD demonstrations in Germany, France, and Italy. Tesla is also pushing for national approval in the Netherlands in early 2026.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla FSD V14.2.1 is earning rave reviews from users in diverse conditions

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software continues its rapid evolution, with the latest V14.2.1 update drawing widespread praise.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software continues its rapid evolution, with the latest V14.2.1 update drawing widespread praise for its smoother performance and smarter decision-making.

Videos and firsthand accounts from Tesla owners highlight V14.2.1 as an update that improves navigation responsiveness, sign recognition, and overall fluidity, among other things. Some drivers have even described it as “more alive than ever,” hinting at the system eventually feeling “sentient,” as Elon Musk has predicted.

FSD V14.2.1 first impressions

Early adopters are buzzing about how V14.2.1 feels less intrusive while staying vigilant. In a post shared on X, Tesla owner @LactoseLunatic described the update as a “huge leap forward,” adding that the system remains “incredibly assertive but still safe.”

Another Tesla driver, Devin Olsenn, who logged ~600 km on V14.2.1, reported no safety disengagements, with the car feeling “more alive than ever.” The Tesla owner noted that his wife now defaults to using FSD V14, as the system is already very smooth and refined.

Adverse weather and regulatory zones are testing grounds where V14.2.1 shines, at least according to testers in snow areas. Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt shared a video of his first snowy drive on unplowed rural roads in New Hampshire, where FSD did great and erred on the side of caution. As per Merritt, FSD V14.2.1 was “extra cautious” but it performed well overall. 

Advertisement
-->

Sign recognition and freeway prowess

Sign recognition also seemed to show improvements with FSD V14.2.1. Longtime FSD tester Chuck Cook highlighted a clip from his upcoming first-impressions video, showcasing improved school zone behavior. “I think it read the signs better,” he observed, though in standard mode, it didn’t fully drop to 15 mph within the short timeframe. This nuance points to V14.2.1’s growing awareness of temporal rules, a step toward fewer false positives in dynamic environments.

FSD V14.2.1 also seems to excel in high-stress highway scenarios. Fellow FSD tester @BLKMDL3 posted a video of FSD V14.2.1 managing a multi-lane freeway closure due to a police chase-related accident. “Perfectly handles all lanes of the freeway merging into one,” the Tesla owner noted in his post on X.

FSD V14.2.1 was released on Thanksgiving, much to the pleasant surprise of Tesla owners. The update’s release notes are almost identical to the system’s previous iteration, save for one line item read, “Camera visibility can lead to increased attention monitoring sensitivity.”

Continue Reading

News

Tesla FSD Supervised ride-alongs in Europe begin in Italy, France, and Germany

The program allows the public to hop in as a non-driving observer to witness FSD navigate urban streets firsthand.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has kicked off passenger ride-alongs for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Italy, France and Germany. The program allows the public to hop in as a non-driving observer to witness FSD navigate urban streets firsthand. 

The program, detailed on Tesla’s event pages, arrives ahead of a potential early 2026 Dutch regulatory approval that could unlock a potential EU-wide rollout for FSD.

Hands-Off Demos

Tesla’s ride-along invites participants to “ride along in the passenger seat to experience how it handles real-world traffic & the most stressful parts of daily driving, making the roads safer for all,” as per the company’s announcement on X through its official Tesla Europe & Middle East account. 

Sign-ups via localized pages offer free slots through December, with Tesla teams piloting vehicles through city streets, roundabouts and highways.

“Be one of the first to experience Full Self-Driving (Supervised) from the passenger seat. Our team will take you along as a passenger and show you how Full Self-Driving (Supervised) works under real-world road conditions,” Tesla wrote. “Discover how it reacts to live traffic and masters the most stressful parts of driving to make the roads safer for you and others. Come join us to learn how we are moving closer to a fully autonomous future.”

Advertisement
-->

Building trust towards an FSD Unsupervised rollout

Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) ride-alongs could be an effective tool to build trust and get regular car buyers and commuters used to the idea of vehicles driving themselves. By seating riders shotgun, Tesla could provide participants with a front row seat to the bleeding edge of consumer-grade driverless systems.

FSD (Supervised) has already been rolled out to several countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and partially in China. So far, FSD (Supervised) has been received positively by drivers, as it really makes driving tasks and long trips significantly easier and more pleasant.

FSD is a key safety feature as well, which became all too evident when a Tesla driving on FSD was hit by what seemed to be a meteorite in Australia. The vehicle moved safely despite the impact, though the same would likely not be true had the car been driven manually.

Continue Reading