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Next-gen Tesla Roadster’s “Augmented Mode” will enhance drivers’ abilities
In a recent update on Twitter, Elon Musk revealed that the next-generation Tesla Roadster would feature an “Augmented Mode” that is designed to enhance drivers’ abilities when operating the all-electric supercar.
Musk’s update came as a response to acclaimed YouTube tech reviewer and Tesla owner-enthusiast Marques Brownlee, who inquired if the next-generation Roadster will have Autopilot. Musk promptly responded, confirming the intelligent driver-assist feature and teasing one of the all-electric supercar’s unique capabilities.
Definitely. Will also have Augmented Mode that will massively enhance human driving ability. Like a flying metal suit, but in car form …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 8, 2018
While Musk’s mention of Augmented Mode and flying metal suits immediately drew references and comparisons to Marvel’s Iron Man and Tony Stark, Tesla has actually been laying the groundwork for integrating augmented reality technology into its electric cars for years. The electric car and energy company, for one, has been amassing talent with experience in the emerging field.
Back in late 2016, Tesla hired Andrew Kim as a Lead Designer at the company’s Design Studio in Hawthorne, CA. Prior to this employment at Tesla, Kim worked for Microsoft, where he helped develop the HoloLens headset, a holographic computer that allows users to see and interact with holograms within an environment.
When Microsoft launched the device back in 2016, the company demoed several uses for the headset, from gaming to holographic conferencing. In the auto industry, Volvo opted to use the HoloLens as a means for potential customers to interact with its vehicles. According to a Trusted Reviews report, the legacy automaker also expects to use the augmented reality technology in its future self-driving car initiatives.
Kim’s LinkedIn profile currently notes that his work at Tesla involves “leading experiences” in Model S, X, 3, Semi, Roadster, and Y, as well as “confidential future products and experiences.” Considering that Tesla’s vehicles are known for being on the bleeding edge of automotive technology, it is not difficult to speculate that the next-generation Roadster’s Augmented Mode could involve the incorporation of holographic images that can provide information such as suggested routes, driving tips, and safety warnings to drivers when operating the vehicle, similar to the technology showcased by Hyundai during CES 2015.
Augmented features are actually a perfect match to the all-electric supercar’s interior design. As could be seen in the prototype unveiled last November and the company’s quarterly all-hands promo video, the next-generation Roadster’s dashboard is almost just as, if not more minimalistic, than the Model 3. If any, the next-gen Roadster’s sparse dashboard provides ample space for Tesla to incorporate augmented reality technology.
A white next-gen Tesla Roadster makes an appearance during the 2018 annual shareholders meeting. [Credit: Dennis Pascual/Twitter]
The next-gen Tesla Roadster is nothing short of a beast. The all-electric supercar’s base variant, for one, already breaks several records, with a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 8.9 seconds, 10,000 Nm of torque, a range of 620 miles thanks to a 200 kWh battery, and a top speed of more than 250 mph. During Tesla’s 2018 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk announced that a SpaceX option would be available for the next-gen Roadster, which would push the capabilities of the electric car even further.
Considering the raw power of the upcoming all-electric supercar, there will only be very few drivers who could properly operate the next-gen Roadster to its full potential. Pushing a car with a top speed of more than 250 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds at its base trim, after all, requires skill and reflexes that the average driver simply does not have, or at least was not trained to hone. Thus, features such as Augmented Mode would likely be a welcome feature for many future owners of the next-generation Roadster.
Tesla is steadily increasing its marketing efforts for the next-generation Roadster. During the Tesla’s 2018 Annual Shareholder Meeting, a stunning white variant of the all-electric supercar was unveiled. Last month, Elon Musk also announced that test drives for the vehicle would begin sometime near the end of next year.
Here’s a demonstration of Hyundai’s use of augmented reality technology for its vehicles in CES 2015.
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Tesla Semi pricing revealed after company uncovers trim levels
This is a step up from the prices that were revealed back in 2017, but with inflation and other factors, it is no surprise Tesla could not come through on the numbers it planned to offer nine years ago. When the Semi was unveiled in November 2017, Tesla had three pricing levels:
Tesla Semi pricing appears to have been revealed after the company started communicating with the entities interested in purchasing its all-electric truck. The pricing details come just days after Tesla revealed it planned to offer two trim levels and uncovered the specs of each.
After CEO Elon Musk said the Semi would enter volume production this year, Tesla revealed trim levels shortly thereafter. Offering a Standard Range and a Long Range trim will fit the needs of many companies that plan to use the truck for local and regional deliveries.
Tesla Semi lines up for $165M in California incentives ahead of mass production
It will also be a good competitor to the all-electric semi trucks already available from companies like Volvo.
With the release of specs, Tesla helped companies see the big picture in terms of what the Semi could do to benefit their business. However, pricing information was not available.
A new report from Electrek states that Tesla has been communicating with those interested companies and is pricing the Standard Range at $250,000 per unit, while the Long Range is priced at $290,000. These prices come before taxes and destination fees.
$TSLA – TESLA IS QUOTING $290,000 FOR ITS 500-MILES ELECTRIC SEMI TRUCK – ELECTREK
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 10, 2026
This is a step up from the prices that were revealed back in 2017, but with inflation and other factors, it is no surprise Tesla could not come through on the numbers it planned to offer nine years ago. When the Semi was unveiled in November 2017, Tesla had three pricing levels:
- $150,000 for a 300-mile range version
- $180,000 for a 500-mile range version
- $200,000 for a limited “Founders Series” edition; full upfront payment required for priority production and limited to just 1,000 units
Tesla has not officially released any specific information regarding pricing on the Semi, but it is not surprising that it has not done so. The Semi is a vehicle that will be built for businesses, and pricing information is usually reserved for those who place reservations. This goes for most products of this nature.
The Semi will be built at a new, dedicated production facility in Sparks, Nevada, which Tesla broke ground on in 2024. The factory was nearly complete in late 2025, and executives confirmed that the first “online builds” were targeted for that same time.
Meaningful output is scheduled for this year, as Musk reiterated earlier this week that it would enter mass production this year. At full capacity, the factory will build 50,000 units annually.
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Tesla executive moves on after 13 years: ‘It has been a privilege to serve’
“It is challenging to encapsulate 13 years in a single post. The journey at Tesla has been one of continuous evolution. From the technical intricacies of designing, building, and operating one of the world’s largest AI clusters to impactful contributions in IT, Security, Sales, and Service, it has been a privilege to serve,” Jegannathan said in the post.
Tesla executive Raj Jegannathan is moving on from the company after 13 years, he announced on LinkedIn on Monday.
“It is challenging to encapsulate 13 years in a single post. The journey at Tesla has been one of continuous evolution. From the technical intricacies of designing, building, and operating one of the world’s largest AI clusters to impactful contributions in IT, Security, Sales, and Service, it has been a privilege to serve,” Jegannathan said in the post.
After starting as a Senior Staff Engineer in Fremont back in November 2012, Jegannathan slowly worked his way through the ranks at Tesla. His most recent role was Vice President of IT/AI Infrastructure, Business Apps, and Infosec.
However, it was reported last year that Jegannathan had taken on a new role, which was running the North American sales team following the departure of Troy Jones, who had held the position previously.
While Jegannathan’s LinkedIn does not mention this position specifically, it seemed to be accurate, considering Tesla had not explicitly promoted any other person to the role.
It is a big loss for Tesla, but not a destructive departure. Jegannathan was one of the few company executives who answered customer and fan questions on X, a unique part of the Tesla ownership experience.
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It currently remains unclear if Jegannathan was removed from the position or if he left under his own accord.
“As I move on, I do so with a full heart and excitement for what lies ahead. Thank you, Tesla, for this wonderful opportunity!” he concluded.
The departure marks a continuing trend of executives leaving the company, as the past 24 months have seen some significant turnover at the executive level.
Tesla has shown persistently elevated executive turnover over the past two years, as names like Drew Baglino, Rohan Patel, Rebecca Tinucci, Daniel Ho, Omead Afshar, Milan Kovac, and Siddhant Awasthi have all been notable names to exit the company in the past two years.
There are several things that could contribute to this. Many skeptics will point to Elon Musk’s politics, but that is not necessarily the case.
Tesla is a difficult, but rewarding place to work. It is a company that requires a lot of commitment, and those who are halfway in might not choose to stick around. Sacrificing things like time with family might not outweigh the demands of Tesla and Musk.
Additionally, many of these executives have made a considerable amount of money thanks to stock packages the company offers to employees. While many might be looking for new opportunities, some might be interested in an early retirement.
Tesla is also in the process of transitioning away from its most notable division, automotive. While it still plans to manufacture cars in the millions, it is turning more focus toward robotics and autonomy, and these plans might not align with what some executives might want for themselves. There are a wide variety of factors in the decision to leave a job, so it is important not to immediately jump to controversy.
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Lemonade launches Tesla FSD insurance program in Oregon
The program was announced by Lemonade co-founder Shai Wininger on social media platform X.
Tesla drivers in Oregon can now receive significant insurance discounts when using FSD, following the launch of Lemonade’s new Autonomous Car insurance program.
The program was announced by Lemonade co-founder Shai Wininger on social media platform X.
Lemonade launches FSD-based insurance in Oregon
In a post on X, Wininger confirmed that Lemondade’s Autonomous Car insurance product for Tesla is now live in Oregon. The program allows eligible Tesla owners to receive roughly 50% off insurance costs for every mile driven using Tesla’s FSD system.
“And… we’re ON. @Lemonade_Inc’s Autonomous Car for @Tesla FSD is now live in Oregon. Tesla drivers in Oregon can now get ~50% off their Tesla FSD-driven miles + the best car insurance experience in the US, bar none,” Wininger wrote in his post.
As per Lemonade on its official website, the program is built on Tesla’s safety data, which indicates that miles driven using FSD are approximately twice as safe as those driven manually. As a result, Lemonade prices those miles at a lower rate. The insurer noted that as FSD continues to improve, associated discounts could increase over time.
How Lemonade tracks FSD miles
Lemonade’s FSD discount works through a direct integration with Tesla vehicles, enabled only with a driver’s explicit permission. Once connected, the system distinguishes between miles driven manually and those driven using FSD, applying the discount automatically to qualifying miles.
There is no minimum FSD usage requirement. Drivers who use FSD occasionally still receive discounted rates for those miles, while non-FSD miles are billed at competitive standard rates. Lemonade also emphasized that coverage and claims handling remain unchanged regardless of whether a vehicle is operating under manual control or FSD at the time of an incident.
The program is currently available only to Teslas equipped with Hardware 4 or newer, running firmware version 2025.44.25.5 or later. Lemonade also allows policyholders to bundle Tesla insurance with renters, homeowners, pet, or life insurance policies for additional savings.
Tesla Semi pricing revealed after company uncovers trim levels
Tesla executive moves on after 13 years: ‘It has been a privilege to serve’
