Tesla’s Robotaxi fleets in Austin and the Bay Area have recently made headlines as they now offer completely unsupervised rides with no driver or safety monitor onboard. While these vehicles may resemble the familiar Model Ys seen on the roads, they have undergone some significant hardware upgrades specifically tailored for autonomous operation.
According to Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt, the newly built Model Y Robotaxis in Austin have been equipped with several enhancements not found on standard production Model Ys. These upgrades include a rear camera washer, dedicated side repeater camera washers, and a revised front camera housing. Videos shared by David Moss have showcased these updated vehicles in action.
The addition of camera washers is a crucial development for autonomous driving. Unlike customer Model Ys that rely on passive camera housings, Robotaxi vehicles now feature active spray nozzles capable of cleaning the rear and side repeater cameras as needed. This feature is essential for vehicles expected to operate continuously in varying weather conditions without human intervention. Interestingly, Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab has also been spotted with a rear camera washer, indicating that this technology is becoming standard for Tesla’s autonomous future.
In addition to the camera washers, the updated front camera housing on the Model Y Robotaxis is equally important. The new design, featuring black lines surrounding the front camera enclosure, suggests improved sealing. This enhancement may help prevent fogging of the camera glass due to off-gassing inside the vehicle, potentially reducing the need for manual cleanings. Reports from customers have indicated that some new Model Ys built at Gigafactory Texas may already be receiving this updated camera enclosure, aligning with Elon Musk’s goal of simplifying front camera glass cleaning.
While Model Ys are currently serving as placeholders for Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions, the company is gearing up to begin volume production of the purpose-built Cybercab in April. The Cybercab is expected to be the backbone of Tesla’s Robotaxi network, designed from the ground up for autonomous operation.
In the meantime, Tesla’s Robotaxi Model Ys offer a glimpse into how the company is quietly evolving its vehicles to meet the demands of a fully autonomous future. These hardware upgrades showcase Tesla’s commitment to innovation and advancement in the realm of autonomous driving technology. I’m sorry, but you have not provided me with a starting point or topic to write a detailed article on. Could you please provide me with more information or a specific topic you would like me to cover?