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Tesla’s US-made Model Y gets Bioweapon Defense Mode with hospital-grade HEPA filter

Credit: The Kilowatts/Twitter

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Earlier this year, Tesla started rolling out the Made-in-China Model Y to local customers. Unlike the US-made version of the all-electric crossover, the Model Y produced in Gigafactory Shanghai was equipped with a large HEPA filter and a dedicated Bioweapon Defense Mode. Recent images shared of a Model Y produced at the Fremont Factory suggest that the highly-regarded feature is now rolling out to Tesla’s US-made crossovers as well. 

Electric vehicle group The Kilowatts shared the initial photo of a US-made Model Y with Bioweapon Defense Mode on Twitter. The Model Y in question, a Long Range Dual Motor variant, was built at the Fremont Factory in July 2021. With this in mind, it appears that California-made Model Ys delivered this quarter would likely include a dedicated Bioweapon Defense Mode function. 

The addition of Bioweapon Defense Mode for the Made-in-China Model Y was quite surprising, since Elon Musk noted in the past that the large HEPA filter required for the feature would be too large to fit in the Model 3 without sacrificing the all-electric sedan’s frunk. Considering that the Model 3 and Model Y are built on the same platform, it was widely expected that the all-electric crossover would also not have enough space for a hospital-grade HEPA filter

Late last year, however, signs emerged suggesting that the Model Y would eventually be equipped with Bioweapon Defense Mode, just like its larger, more expensive siblings, the Model X and Model S. These include references to a HEPA filter for the Model Y in Tesla’s software, as well as an update to the Model Y’s manual which included sections for Bioweapon Defense Mode. These observations were confirmed when Tesla China formally launched the Model Y with a dedicated Bioweapon Defense Mode feature. 

A look at the Made-in-China Model Y’s HEPA filter shows that the massive component was installed just behind the all-electric crossover’s frunk. This would make it easier to replace the filter when needed, unlike the Model X, which requires some disassembly when its HEPA filter needs replacing. While an image of the HEPA filter in the recently-built Tesla Model Y from the Fremont Factory has not been shared as of writing, there is a good chance that the US-made crossovers are following the same setup as their Giga Shanghai-made counterparts.

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Bioweapon Defense Mode is arguably one of Tesla’s most unique safety-focused features, with a test involving a Model X revealing that the function could thoroughly clean the air inside (and even outside) the vehicle. The feature has proven itself over the years, particularly as California-based Tesla Model S and Model X owners experienced declining air quality from wildfires. The addition of Bioweapon Defense Mode for the Tesla Model Y could then make the all-electric crossover even more of a bang-for-the-buck vehicle, as it’s priced closer to the entry-level Model 3, but its cabin air filtration system is similar to the more premium Model S and Model X. 

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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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Elon Musk confirms Tesla FSD V14.2 will see widespread rollout

Musk shared the news in a post on social media platform X.

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Credit: Whole Mars Catalog/X

Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla will be implementing a wide rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) V14 with the system’s V14.2 update. Musk shared the news in a post on social media platform X. 

FSD V14.1.2 earns strong praise from testers

Musk’s comment came as a response to Tesla owner and longtime FSD tester AI DRIVR, who noted that it might be time to release Full Self-Driving to the fleet because V14.1.2 has already become very refined.

“95% of the indecisive lane changes and braking have been fixed in FSD 14.1.2. I haven’t touched my steering wheel in two days. I think it’s time, Tesla AI,” the longtime FSD tester wrote

AI DRIVR’s comment received quite a bit of support from fellow Tesla drivers, some of whom noted that the improvements that were implemented in V14.1.2 are substantial. Others also agreed that it’s time for FSD to see a wide release.

In his reply to the FSD tester, CEO Elon Musk noted that FSD V14’s wide release would happen with V14.2. “14.2 for widespread use,” Musk wrote in his reply

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Mad Max mode makes headlines

One of the key features that was introduced with FSD’s current iteration is Mad Max mode, which allows for higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the previous “Hurry” mode. Videos and social media posts from FSD testers have shown the system deftly handling complex traffic, merging seamlessly, and maintaining an assertive but safe driving behavior with Mad Max mode engaged.

Tesla AI head Ashok Elluswamy recently noted in a post on X that Mad Max mode was built to handle congested daytime traffic, making it extremely useful for drivers who tend to find themselves in heavy roads during their daily commutes. With Musk now hinting that FSD V14.2 will go on wide release, it might only be a matter of time before the larger Tesla fleet gets to experience the notable improvements of FSD’s V14 update.

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Multiple Tesla Cybercab units spotted at Giga Texas crash test facility

The vehicles were covered, but one could easily recognize the Cybercab’s sleek lines and compact size.

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Credit: @JoeTegtmeyer/X

It appears that Tesla is ramping up its activities surrounding the development and likely initial production of the Cybercab at Giga Texas. This was, at least, hinted at in a recent drone flyover of the massive electric vehicle production facility in Austin. 

Cybercab sightings fuel speculations

As observed by longtime Giga Texas drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer, Tesla had several covered Cybercab units outside the facility’s crash testing facility at the time of his recent flyover. The vehicles were covered, but one could easily recognize the Cybercab’s sleek lines and compact size. Tegtmeyer also observed during his flyover that production of the Model Y Standard seems to be hitting its pace.

The drone operator noted that the seven covered Cybercabs might be older prototypes being decommissioned or new units awaiting crash tests. Either scenario points to a ramp-up in Cybercab activity at Giga Texas, however. “In either case, this is another datapoint indicating production is getting closer to happening,” Tegtmeyer wrote on X, highlighting that the autonomous two-seaters were quite exciting to see.

Cybercab production targets

This latest sighting follows reports of renewed Cybercab appearances at both the Fremont Factory and Giga Texas. A test unit was recently spotted driving on Giga Texas’ South River Road. Another Cybercab, seen at Tesla’s Fremont Factory, appeared to be manually driven, suggesting that the vehicle’s current prototypes may still be produced with temporary steering controls.

The Tesla Cybercab is designed to be the company’s highest-volume vehicle, with CEO Elon Musk estimating that the autonomous two-seater should see an annual production rate of about 2 million units per year. To accomplish this, Tesla will be building the Cybercab using its “Unboxed” process, which should help the vehicle’s production line achieve outputs that are more akin to consumer electronics production lines.

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Teslas in the Boring Co. Vegas Loop are about to get a big change

Elon Musk has a big update for Teslas that operate within the Boring Company’s Vegas Loop.

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the boring company's vegas loop entrance
(Credit: Sam Morris, LVCVA/Las Vegas News Bureau)

Tesla vehicles operating in the Boring Company’s Vegas Loop are about to get a big change, CEO Elon Musk said.

In Las Vegas, the Boring Company operates the Vegas Loop, an underground tunnel system that uses Teslas to drop people off at various hotspots on the strip. It’s been active for a few years now and is expanding to other resorts, hotels, and destinations.

Currently, there are stops at three resorts: Westgate, the Encore, and Resorts World. However, there will eventually be “over 100 stations and span over 68 miles of tunnel,” the Vegas Loop website says.

The Loop utilizes Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to send passengers to their desired destinations. They are currently driven using the Full Self-Driving suite, but they also have safety drivers in each vehicle to ensure safety.

Tesla Cybertruck rides are crucial for Vegas Loop expansion to airport

Tesla and the Boring Company have been working to remove drivers from the vehicles used in the Loop, but now, it appears there is a set timeline to have them out, according to CEO Elon Musk:

Musk says the Boring Co. will no longer rely on safety drivers within the Teslas for operation. Instead, Tesla will look to remove the safety drivers from the cars within the next month or two, a similar timeline for what Musk believes the Robotaxi platform will look like in Austin.

In Texas, as Robotaxi continues to operate as it has since June, there are still safety monitors within the car who sit in the passenger’s seat. They are there to ensure a safe experience for riders.

When the route takes the vehicle on the highway, safety monitors move into the driver’s seat.

However, Tesla wants to be able to remove safety monitors from its vehicles in Austin by the end of the year, Musk has said recently.

In early September, Musk said that the safety monitors are “just there for the first few months to be extra safe.” He then added that there “should be no safety driver by end of year.”

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