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Next-gen Tesla Roadster’s “Augmented Mode” will enhance drivers’ abilities

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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.

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. 

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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. 

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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.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla is already giving Robotaxi privileges hours after opening public app

This morning, Tesla launched the app in the Apple Store, giving iOS users the ability to download and join a waitlist in hopes of gaining access.

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tesla robotaxi app on phone
Credit: Tesla

Tesla is already giving Robotaxi privileges to those who downloaded the app and joined its waitlist just hours after it launched in the United States.

As the Robotaxi platform has been operating in Austin for several months, Tesla is now allowing the general public to download its app and call for a driverless ride in the city.

Tesla Robotaxi makes major expansion with official public app launch

The company previously sent invitations to select media outlets and Tesla influencers, seeking initial feedback on the performance of the Robotaxi platform.

There have been positive reviews, but, as with any Beta program, some mishaps have also occurred, although none have been significant.

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As of the writing of this article, the City of Austin only lists one incident involving a Tesla Robotaxi, noting it as a “Safety Concern,” but not an accident or collision.

This morning, Tesla launched the app in the Apple Store, giving iOS users the ability to download and join a waitlist in hopes of gaining access.

Tesla is already granting Robotaxi access to several of those who have downloaded the app and gotten on the waitlist early:

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With the launch of the public app, we were not too sure how soon Tesla would be able to initiate bringing more riders into the Robotaxi program. The immediate admittance for some riders just hours after the launch is a big positive and is surely a sign of strength for Tesla and its Robotaxi program.

What many will look for moving forward is the expansion of the geofence, which does not seem like a problem, as Tesla has already managed to do this on three occasions. The most recent expansion has expanded the service area to approximately 190 square miles.

People will also look for evidence of fleet expansion, a concern that has been a concern for many, especially since Tesla has not been completely transparent about it. They have revealed a recent service fleet growth of 50 percent, but there has been no specific number of vehicles mentioned.

Tesla reveals it has expanded its Robotaxi fleet in Austin

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Tesla explains why Robotaxis now have safety monitors in the driver’s seat

The update to Austin’s safety monitors became a point of interest among Tesla watchers on social media.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has provided an explanation about the presence of safety monitors in the driver’s seat of its autonomous Robotaxi units.

The autonomous ride-hailing service is currently being deployed in Austin and the Bay Area, with more cities across the United States expected to gain access to the service later this year.

Safety Monitors

When Tesla launched its initial Robotaxi program in Austin, the company made headlines for operating vehicles without a human in the driver’s seat. Even with this setup, however, Tesla still had safety monitors in the passenger seat of the Robotaxis. The safety monitors, which do not interact with passengers, have been observed to report issues and other behaviors from the autonomous vehicles in real time. 

Safety monitors on the driver’s seat were also employed in the service’s Bay Area rollout, though numerous members of the EV community speculated that this was likely done to meet regulations in California. However, with the expansion of the Austin geofence, riders in Tesla’s Robotaxis observed that the safety monitors in the city have been moved to the driver’s seat as well.

Tesla’s explanation

The update to Austin’s safety monitors became a point of interest among Tesla watchers on social media. Longtime FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog, for one, speculated that the move might be due to Texas’ new regulations for autonomous vehicles, which took effect recently. Interestingly enough, the official Tesla Robotaxi account on X responded to the FSD tester, providing an explanation behind the safety monitor’s move to the driver’s seat. 

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“Safety monitors are only in the driver’s seat for trips that involve highway driving, as a self-imposed cautious first step toward expanding to highways,” the Tesla Robotaxi account noted.

Tesla has been extremely cautious with its autonomous driving program, particularly with the rollout of its Robotaxi service, which use Unsupervised FSD. This is quite understandable considering the negative media slant that Tesla is consistently subjected to, which could very well result in minute incidents or mistakes by Robotaxis being blown out of proportion.

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The Boring Company begins hiring for Nashville’s Music City Loop

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee expressed strong support for the project.

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Credit: The Boring Company/X

Elon Musk’s The Boring Company has started recruitment efforts for the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel system designed to link downtown Nashville with Nashville International Airport. 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee expressed strong support for the project, describing it as a cost-free alternative to traditional mass transit systems that could ease traffic congestion in the city. Initial digging began in mid-August, with visible progress reported by September 1, as noted in a WKRN report.

Job creation and project scope

The Boring Company is currently seeking engineers, electricians, mechanics, and operations coordinators as part of its hiring drive for the Music City Loop in Nashville. Gov. Lee emphasized that unlike large-scale transit projects that typically cost billions, the tunnel system will not burden taxpayers.

“We’ve been trying to find ways, Metro Nashville has in particular, to develop transit in the city for a long time. It costs billions and billions of dollars to build out transit systems. We now have an opportunity to have a transit system that costs the taxpayers nothing,” Lee said, calling the effort the fast lane to the city’s future.

The Music City Loop aims to provide a quick and efficient link between the city center and the airport, similar to The Boring Company’s other tunnel projects like the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop. Officials have praised the company for cooperating with state permitting and regulatory requirements, suggesting that the Nashville Loop project is advancing in line with established processes.

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Community reactions and concerns

While officials are optimistic, community response has been mixed. Some residents have raised concerns about the speed of approval and a lack of public discussion before construction began.

Nashville resident Taylor John cited environmental impacts and worries that the tunnel could primarily serve tourists rather than local commuters. “I have a lot of concerns, first of all, by how fast this decision was made, I don’t think there was a lot of discussion from the members of the community before this decision was made. It’s going to impact us,” the resident stated.

Others, however, see the project as an innovative leap forward. “There’s a whole untapped potential underneath our feet,” resident Nathaniel Lehrer stated. “Anything that can save time when picking up family or friends or you need to catch a flight, it’d be an awesome option to have.”

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