Tesla is taking a major step towards preventing child heatstroke deaths in vehicles with the introduction of new safety features. The company has announced that its Cabin Radar system, a 4D imaging sensor that can detect breathing even through car seats, will now come standard in the new Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck.
This innovative technology, which uses minimal power, will also be enabled in 2022 and newer Model Y vehicles through an over-the-air (OTA) update. Additionally, Tesla will be rolling out Child Presence Detection, another safety feature, to all Tesla vehicles via OTA updates in the near future.
It has been confirmed that the Cabin Radar feature is included in the “new” Model 3 refresh from late 2023 and early 2024, not just the most recently produced vehicles. According to Tesla’s manual for the 2025 Model Y, the cabin radar is located above the front row dome lights.
Tesla explains that the Cabin Radar can detect the presence of people inside the vehicle and use the measurements to determine occupancy. This feature supports various vehicle and safety features, including driver detection, seat occupancy, Occupant Classification System (OCS), and auto parking brake engagement.
On average, 37 children die from heatstroke in cars each year in the U.S., making Tesla’s latest update a crucial step in preventing these tragedies. The inclusion of the Cabin Radar system is a significant advancement in vehicle safety technology and has the potential to save lives.
Overall, Tesla’s commitment to implementing these new safety features demonstrates their dedication to prioritizing the well-being of their customers and further solidifies their position as a leader in automotive innovation.