Tesla Employee Hints at Vehicle Companion Feature, Musk Denies: Full Story [VIDEO]
Yesterday, an employee at Tesla leaked a video teasing the upcoming introduction of Grok Companions to Tesla vehicles. The video showcased an assistant named Mūn, but it was quickly deleted by the employee. Another employee later confirmed that the feature would be launched in November.
The announcement sparked controversy, especially among Tesla users, leading to Musk’s response denying the claim. Despite the relief from users that Tesla was not adopting a version of Grok’s Ani, there seems to be more to this story than what was initially revealed.
For those unfamiliar with Grok, Companions are 3D avatars in the Grok app that allow users to interact with animated figures when asking questions or engaging in conversations.
Who is Mūn?
Mūn, pronounced Moon, was the assistant featured in the leaked video. It served as a personalized face and personality for Grok, aiming to enhance the in-car experience by providing a more intuitive and personal interaction. Instead of communicating with a generic entity, users would interact with Mūn directly on the car’s screen.
The companion was expected to be available on the rear screen or front display while the vehicle is parked, and it came with its unique handle (@M).
Advantages of an Avatar
The potential benefits of having an avatar like Rudi include entertaining and interacting with kids through Grok’s ‘Kids Mode’ on the rear screen. Additionally, the avatar could provide guidance on adjusting vehicle settings or activating features like Dog Mode, aligning with the futuristic concept of AI assistants interacting with vehicle controls.
Avatars also offer advantages such as using sign language, gestures, and expressions to facilitate communication.
Is Tesla Moving Forward with Avatars?
While Musk has shown fondness for Ani, Grok’s in-app persona, the introduction of an avatar like Mūn may not align with Tesla’s broader audience appeal due to concerns about its overly sexualized appearance. Musk’s response did not clarify whether Tesla was actively testing avatars in vehicles or if the feature was entirely fabricated. However, the involvement of two employees suggests that Tesla had considered the idea but may have decided against implementing it.
Our Perspective
While the fate of Mūn remains uncertain, it is plausible that Tesla was exploring the integration of Grok companions in its vehicles. Given the existing presence of Grok in Tesla’s ecosystem, including the wake word integration in the new Model Y L in China, the addition of avatars seems like a logical progression.
It is possible that Tesla has reconsidered or modified the feature before potential release, possibly opting for more family-friendly versions to address concerns raised by users. The negative reception of the avatar on X may have influenced Musk’s statement that Tesla will not pursue this feature.
While Mūn’s fate may be uncertain, the concept of a 3D avatar in Tesla vehicles could still materialize in the future, albeit in a different form.
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