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Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

electrek.co

41–50 of 55 posts

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#41
Is it possible that removing a camera from the front of a car is a big enough change that it would require the car to go though crash testing again - in multiple countries?

Might be cheaper to use a dummy camera until the Model S/X is fully redesigned and has to be retested.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#42

Knowing the Tesla owner community quite well, I suspect Tesla was hoping nobody would find out it’s a dummy and complain that the newer cars are inferior to the older ones (like they did with the radar and ultrasonic sensors)

The cars are steadily getting worse though. The first model s which I still have was fantastic. Since then I have moved over to the taycan.

I would not go as far as to say they are getting worse, but two events in recent history piss me off because it makes for a shit customer experience.

1. Getting rid of features like passenger lumbar and justifying it by saying few people used it. I've also been around long enough to remember they temporarily got rid of side-dimming mirrors on Model 3, only to bring it back months later. Supply chain woes or whatever - it's better to be transparent about this.

2. Getting rid of features like ultrasonics and not having a production-ready hardware or software solution for things like Park Assist. When the move to vision-only Autopilot was made, there were also several limitations to the vision-stack.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#43
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The cars are steadily getting worse though. The first model s which I still have was fantastic. Since then I have moved over to the taycan.

I would not go as far as to say they are getting worse, but two events in recent history piss me off because it makes for a shit customer experience. 1. Getting rid of features like passenger lumbar and justifying it by saying few people used it. I've also been around long enough to remember they temporarily got rid of side-dimming mirrors on Model 3, only to bring it back months later. Supply chain woes or whatever…

i have one of the 2020 3's without side mirror dimming and it is, indeed, frustrating at night.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#44

Knowing the Tesla owner community quite well, I suspect Tesla was hoping nobody would find out it’s a dummy and complain that the newer cars are inferior to the older ones (like they did with the radar and ultrasonic sensors)

They called it a dummy in the manual. Seems like an odd way to hide it since there’s no regulatory requirement to come clean.

Seems clearly just an aesthetic move to keep symmetry and avoid retooling the large cover.

Also they can they easily move the cameras (center the remaining two) without partially retraining their machine learning?

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#45
post #43
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would not go as far as to say they are getting worse, but two events in recent history piss me off because it makes for a shit customer experience. 1. Getting rid of features like passenger lumbar and justifying it by saying few people used it. I've also been around long enough to remember they temporarily got rid of side-dimming mirrors on Model 3, only to bring it back months later. Supply chain woes or whatever…

i have one of the 2020 3's without side mirror dimming and it is, indeed, frustrating at night.

[deleted]

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#46
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The cars are steadily getting worse though. The first model s which I still have was fantastic. Since then I have moved over to the taycan.

I would not go as far as to say they are getting worse, but two events in recent history piss me off because it makes for a shit customer experience. 1. Getting rid of features like passenger lumbar and justifying it by saying few people used it. I've also been around long enough to remember they temporarily got rid of side-dimming mirrors on Model 3, only to bring it back months later. Supply chain woes or whatever…

That's the thing though. It feels like a less luxurious product over time. I need all the gizmos at that price if I'm sacrificing on body work. And the borderline scam of autopilot, don't even get me started.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#47
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many cars have fake exhaust tips. I see them all the time. Search for "fake exhaust". It looks like most of them come from the factory.

Those are for a different purpose. Many car aficionados have historically changed their exhaust system to achieve better performance. The fake exhaust pipes are to make the car appear performant and powerful.

It's somewhat similar. Three cameras looks like advanced FSD system.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#48
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many cars have fake exhaust tips. I see them all the time. Search for "fake exhaust". It looks like most of them come from the factory.

Those are for a different purpose. Many car aficionados have historically changed their exhaust system to achieve better performance. The fake exhaust pipes are to make the car appear performant and powerful.

> make the car appear performant and powerful

Which part is different? The fake camera gives the appearance of a working camera.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#49

My vehicle has a couple "dummy" things on the inside as well. Places for plugs and switches and things that are only on other models. Maybe it's something like that? It'll be an upgrade option or on a different model? It's probably much cheaper to make the housing thing to be used in a wider range of models.

It’s also a safe space for aftermarket accessories, say you add a bigger alternator and inverter and it gives you a spot for a switch. Or you add fog lights. Or some NOS.

Re: Tesla puts a ‘dummy’ camera in its new vehicles

#50
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those are for a different purpose. Many car aficionados have historically changed their exhaust system to achieve better performance. The fake exhaust pipes are to make the car appear performant and powerful.

> make the car appear performant and powerful Which part is different? The fake camera gives the appearance of a working camera.

In many cases, cars are sold by tickling the interest of people who want performance.

  Tesla's Model S Page: "With a drag coefficient of just .208
  Cd, the lowest on the planet, Model S is built for speed,
  endurance and range. Improved aerodynamics and a wider
  chassis offer more responsive performance so you can take
  corners quicker and with more confidence." [1]
That's even the case with the Telsa Model X.

  Tesla's Model X Page: "With the most power and quickest
  acceleration of any SUV, Model X Plaid is the highest
  performing SUV ever built." [2]
And, for people who want their Tesla to have an exhaust for barreling down the road, there are 3rd party add-ons for that!

  Did you crave the performance of a Tesla electric car but
  miss the sound of a rumbling V8? A UK exhaust manufacturer
  may have the answer: fake external noise. [3] Youtube of
  the sounds from that fake exhaust.[4]
I guess there are some people, though, who see a camera and think of a performance built vehicle.

[1] https://www.tesla.com/models

[2] https://www.tesla.com/modelx

[3] https://www.drive.com.au/news/tesla-electric-cars-now-availa...

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff4XEXYoE5k

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