Elon Musk recently announced that Tesla vehicles will soon support a dedicated wake word for the in-car Grok AI assistant. This revelation came in response to a suggestion on X for an optional “Hey Grok” wake word for Teslas, to which Musk simply replied: “Coming.”
The news follows the recent rollout of Grok 4 to Tesla vehicles as part of the 2025.26 software update, which also brought several other enhancements. Grok 4, the latest version of xAI’s conversational AI, now powers voice interactions inside Tesla vehicles and is poised to play a central role in the in-car user experience.
In addition to the upcoming wake word feature, Grok inside Teslas already supports multiple voice options and personalities, as revealed in previous software leaks. This customization allows for more personalized interactions, whether you prefer a serious co-pilot or a more playful AI companion while on the road.
According to Tesla’s official support page for Grok, users can now engage with their AI companion hands-free in their Tesla vehicle. They have the ability to choose from a range of voices and personalities for Grok, such as Storyteller or Unhinged, to enhance convenience during travel.
While Musk did not specify a timeline for the launch of the wake word feature, given that Grok is already being rolled out with software version 2025.26, it may not be long before it becomes available to Tesla owners.
In the meantime, Tesla enthusiasts are encouraged to share their ideas for alternative wake words for the AI assistant. Suggestions range from the straightforward “OK Grok” to the whimsical “Engage Warp Drive” or “Ready to Grok.” Users are invited to share their creative proposals in the comments section below.
Overall, the integration of a dedicated wake word for the Grok AI assistant underscores Tesla’s commitment to enhancing the in-car user experience and further establishing itself as a leader in automotive technology innovation.