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Tesla deploys software update to fix rearview camera recall in the U.S.

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Tesla has deployed a round of over-the-air software updates to Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles to fix a recall that was issued due to a problem with the rearview camera display.

This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall report potentially affecting 239,382 Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X units, over a problem with the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer that can cause the rearview camera display to stop working. The issue affects Model 3 and Model S units with model years 2023 to 2025, along with Model Y and Model X units from the 2024 to 2025 model years.

The issue is being caused by a short of the primary and/or secondary power components, as related to a recall in November that was largely resolved. The agency estimates that about 2 percent of the vehicles are expected to have the issue, while Tesla has identified 887 warranty claims and 68 field reports related to the problem.

To fix the issue, the relevant updates changed the vehicles’ power-up sequence to avoid the shorting failure, requiring no further action from those with the updated versions.

READ MORE ON TESLA RECALLS: NHTSA finally acknowledges Tesla will fix recalls with software updates

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For the most part, owners who haven’t encountered any of these issues don’t have to worry about scheduling service with Tesla. However, owners who did have camera failures during the round of recalls last November, or immediately following an update, should schedule service with Tesla. Those on software update 2024.44.25.3, 2024.45.25.6 or a later release, versions which have already been installed on most vehicles, do not have to worry about the issue if they haven’t already faced any camera problems or a loss of Autopilot and FSD features.

If necessary, Tesla’s service personnel will replace the computer in affected vehicles with hardware that supports compliant rearview camera functionality. The NHTSA writes as follows in the recall report:

On or shortly after December 18, 2024, at no cost to customers, affected vehicles began receiving an over-the-air (OTA) software update that changes the vehicle power up sequence to prevent the shorting failure condition to the primary and/or secondary power component. No further action is necessary from owners of affected vehicles that are equipped with software release 2024.44.25.3, 2024.45.25.6 or a later release if an affected vehicle has not experienced the shorting failure condition or stress that may lead to the shorting failure condition. Tesla is actively working to identify which affected vehicles, if any, experienced stress that may lead to the shorting failure condition. If an affected vehicle experienced the shorting failure condition or stress that may lead to the shorting failure condition prior to installing software release 2024.44.25.3, 2024.45.25.6 or a later release, then Tesla will replace the vehicle’s car computer at no cost to the customer.

The NHTSA recall number for the issue is 25V-002, and you can see the full recall notice below.

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

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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.

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Tesla deploys Unsupervised FSD in Europe for the first time—with a twist

Europe has so far been elusive for Tesla’s FSD rollout.

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Credit: Tesla AI/X

Tesla has officially started using Unsupervised FSD in Europe, at least, within the Giga Berlin complex.

Ready for rollout

As per a video from the Tesla AI team, Model Y units that are produced at Giga Berlin now autonomously transport themselves from the end of the production line to their designated holding areas. The video demonstration, which was posted on X, followed a Model Y unit that parked itself autonomously at a charging station, and another that headed straight to Giga Berlin’s outbound area.

Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig shared his insights on the video, stating that “Every Tesla we built has the ability to drive autonomously and we use this feature 100% for outbound operations, starting from the light tunnel until the car arrives at the outbound yard! Really impressive!” He also stated that he “cannot wait to see this on European roads outside the factory.”

Unsupervised FSD in Europe

Europe has so far been elusive for Tesla’s FSD rollout. While FSD Supervised has been rolled out to consumers in the United States, and to some degree, in China, only tests have so far been implemented in Europe. This has resulted in numerous Tesla owners getting their patience tested, especially those who have purchased FSD in vehicles that are now several years old.

Tesla, for its part, has been demonstrating Unsupervised FSD operating on public European roads across several countries, such as France and Germany. So far, however, the wait is still on for Europe to allow FSD, both Supervised and Unsupervised, to be operated by regular consumers on public roads.

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Tesla Robotaxi makes major expansion with official public app launch

Tesla officially announced on early Thursday morning that its Robotaxi suite is officially public, launching its separate Robotaxi app to iOS users for the first time, allowing them to test out the driverless ride-hailing platform.

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Tesla has made a major expansion with its Robotaxi platform, marking its official public launch of the app for iOS users.

Tesla has had an active Robotaxi program for two and a half months now, launching it for the first time in Austin, Texas, in late June.

It was not a public beta, as the company extended invitations to a select group of relevant influencers and media in the space, aiming to keep things relatively private until confidence in its performance was established.

Over the past ten weeks, Tesla has expanded its fleet size, its geofence, and its list of invitees on several occasions. However, it was still not offering rides to anyone on the street. That has changed.

Tesla officially announced on early Thursday morning that its Robotaxi suite is officially public, launching its separate Robotaxi app to iOS users for the first time, allowing them to test out the driverless ride-hailing platform:

Once you download the app, you will be put on a waitlist to enter the company’s list of riders. It seems that the earlier you download and join, the sooner you will be able to test one of the company’s driverless Model Y vehicles in the city.

The expansion of the app marks a major achievement for Tesla in the sense that the company is confident to begin allowing more riders to utilize the platform. It may also be looking for a more local consumer base, as many users of the app do not reside in Austin. Tesla may hope to attract more daily users who would utilize Robotaxi for their commute to work, rides to dinner and social events, and other regular uses.

In its nearly three months of operation, Tesla has expanded the Robotaxi geofence in Austin on three occasions, with the most recent bringing the Service Area to 190 square miles.

Tesla Robotaxi geofence expansion enters Plaid Mode and includes a surprise

The most recent growth included new territories, including Giga Texas, the company’s manufacturing facility, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and freeway driving for the first time.

Freeways are where Tesla has taken a slightly different approach, as it will be moving the safety monitor to the driver’s seat for those trips for the time being.

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Tesla’s next-gen Optimus prototype with Grok revealed

The video shows a new Optimus prototype answering questions and taking some very robotic steps, evidently revealing that the next-generation version is in its early stages of development.

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Tesla’s next-generation Optimus robot with AI assistant Grok has been revealed in a new video shared on X.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk was with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff last night, and it appears the frontman gave Benioff an exclusive look at some upcoming technology.

Tesla talks Semi ramp, Optimus, Robotaxi rollout, FSD with Wall Street firm

The video shows a new Optimus prototype answering questions and taking some very robotic steps, evidently revealing that the next-generation version is in its early stages of development. It features Grok for some additional utility, as it answered questions Benioff asked in the short video.

Here’s what was uploaded to X:

It appears that there are several big changes to this next-generation version of Optimus, some of which have been discussed by Musk and Tesla in the past.

The first is purely cosmetic, but the gold color that Optimus is wearing in this is a new and fresh look that we have not seen before.

Perhaps the most interesting change that is evident here is the hands, which are much more detailed than past versions of Optimus:

However, we’re not too sure that these are what will be released with the next-gen Optimus, because they don’t appear to be functional, and they are more reminiscent of mannequin hands than anything.

The hands on Optimus have been a significant part of the program, as they are among the most crucial pieces of equipment on a robot. It needs to be able to perform both delicate and more imposing tasks. Tesla has aimed for Optimus to be able to thread needles or play the piano.

It was one of the most discussed improvements the company mentioned in past comments regarding how it planned to improve from Gen 2 to this next version.

Musk mentioned regarding Optimus:

“Next-generation Optimus hand, which we have in prototype form, has actuators that have moved to the forearm, just like humans, and they operate the fingers through cables, just like human hands.”

Within Optimus lies a significant opportunity for Tesla to gain considerable strength in terms of market share and valuation.

If Tesla can efficiently develop and deploy the humanoid robot over the next several years, the company stands to gain, as companies will utilize it for tasks that require tedious labor.

Musk recently said Optimus will be a major contributor to Tesla’s valuation moving forward. He believes it will make up roughly 80 percent of the company’s value.

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