I recently became a Tesla owner and immediately fell in love with my vehicle. It’s a 2017 model, which means it has AutoPilot 2.0 hardware, which also means I, along with many Tesla owners, am waiting for some highly anticipated features.

I thought I’d make up a list of features, both announced, confirmed, and requested; I’ll attempt to update it as new features are released.

Up to date as of Tesla Software 8.1 version 2017.50.3, last updated 2018/01/01.

AutoPilot Hardware Versions

Just a bit of preface before going through features, as some features will not be possible with all generations of hardware.

AutoPilot Hardware 1.0 (AP1) hardware has 1 forward facing camera, 1 backup camera, 12 sonar/ultrasonic sensors, and a forward-facing radar sensor. The computer is a Mobileye EyeQ3. The system is capable of sensing objects up to 16 feet from the vehicle using sonar. The radar range is unknown. Vehicles with AP1 also had a dedicated rain sensor. It does not appear upgrading is possible.

AutoPilot Hardware 2.0 (AP2) hardware has 3 forward facing cameras (trifocal camera array), 4 side cameras, 1 backup camera, 12 sonar/ultrasonic sensors, and an enhanced forward-facing radar sensor. The computer uses a Nivida Drive PX 2. The system is capable of sensing objects 30 feet from the vehicle. AP2 is capable of 40x the processing power of AP1. The max distance each sensor can sense varies (see below), but the sonar sensors can see up to 26 feet and radar up to 525 feet. You can read about AP2 at tesla.com/autopilot. For vehicles built after 2016/10/19. The computer used is designed to be upgradeable.

AutoPilot 2.0 Maximum Viewing Distance

AutoPilot Hardware 2.5 (AP2.5) hardware adds a secondary processing device (GPGPU) on top of the AP2.0 hardware, this is to improve redundancy for full-self driving safety. A driver-facing camera was added to monitor the driver for the Model 3, this will likely be used in the future.

AutoPilot (2.0+) Features

Show vehicles in other lanes

This feature uses the sensor array to detect and then render vehicles in other lanes. While this is exists for AP1 vehicles, it is not implemented for AP2 yet. This function provides the driver with enhanced trust in the AutoPilot system and is likely necessary for properly handling automatic merges. This is related.

Smart Summon [tesla.com]

Tesla cars with any version of AP hardware currently offers Summon, a limited use feature to put away and pull out your car from parking spots and garages. Smart Summon will be the next iteration, allowing the car to navigate more complex environments and parking spaces, maneuvering to come find you.

Smart Summon

Honor/read road signs [twitter]

AutoPilot will read road signs, such as stop signs, and honor the legal requirement. Currently AP hardware is capable of reading speed limit signs, which it will then project onto the instrument panel display.

[twitter] AutoPilot will read road signs, such as stop signs, and honor the legal requirement. Currently AP hardware is capable of reading speed limit signs, which it will then project onto the instrument panel display. Low-Speed AEB [unconfirmed]

While the vehicle will preemptively apply braking when you’re at risk of an hitting an object at higher speeds (Automatic Emergency Braking), it does not prevent you from hitting something at low speeds. This can lead to minor damage when hitting bumpers, garage doors, fences, and similar things. Low-Speed AEB would use the sensor array to automatically stop under specific conditions. One example would be at stop signs and red lights, when not using AutoPilot, as the driver removes their footer from the accelerator peddle, the vehicle slows due to regen braking. As long as the vehicle is traveling at slow speeds (less than 5mph) as it gets close to approaching vehicle, it will automatically come to a complete stop 3–5 feet from the vehicle ahead.

Driving Features

Automatic speed-adjusted steering/handling [unconfirmed]

Teslas currently offer an adjustable steering setting, with three options: Comfort, Standard, Sport. This adjusts how sensitive steering and responsiveness is. The requested improvement is to automatically switch based on your speed, similar to the Automatic Lowering feature available with air suspension.

[unconfirmed] Teslas currently offer an adjustable steering setting, with three options: Comfort, Standard, Sport. This adjusts how sensitive steering and responsiveness is. The requested improvement is to automatically switch based on your speed, similar to the Automatic Lowering feature available with air suspension. Audible chime for blind spot detection [unconfirmed]

Tesla currently has blind spot detection show up on the instrument panel, rather than the side mirrors as most vehicles do. This makes it hard to use as it isn’t natural for the driver to look there. An audible chime would greatly improve the safety of lane changes.

[unconfirmed] Tesla currently has blind spot detection show up on the instrument panel, rather than the side mirrors as most vehicles do. This makes it hard to use as it isn’t natural for the driver to look there. An audible chime would greatly improve the safety of lane changes. Child or limited driver profile [unconfirmed]

Useful for letting younger drivers or friends borrow your vehicle, a limited profile allows you to set additional rules such as: max speed, max kW draw rate, max acceleration, disabling functionality such as AutoPilot.

Energy Management

Battery drains after charge complete [unconfirmed] [reddit]

Even though the vehicle may remain plugged in, such as at home, after the vehicle has finished charging to the desired charge limit the vehicle can lose charge to a number of reasons (e.g. vampire loss, climate control, computers, radios). When the vehicle is plugged in, these systems should run off the power available from the charger (if possible), otherwise the battery level should be rechecked and the vehicle should automatically start charging again when the charge level drops.

[unconfirmed] [reddit] Even though the vehicle may remain plugged in, such as at home, after the vehicle has finished charging to the desired charge limit the vehicle can lose charge to a number of reasons (e.g. vampire loss, climate control, computers, radios). When the vehicle is plugged in, these systems should run off the power available from the charger (if possible), otherwise the battery level should be rechecked and the vehicle should automatically start charging again when the charge level drops. Charge to X% by set time [unconfirmed] [reddit]

Allow for target completion times, based upon available charging speeds, so that you can schedule when you want a charge to be completed. This helps avoid batteries being at 100% while sitting for extended periods of time, instead the driver can schedule the car to reach 100% at the time he wishes to leave. This helps extend the battery life.

Convenience Features

Dashcam [twitter 2] [reddit]

Many Tesla owners end up installing a Dashcam to help protect their vehicle from accidental damages. Tesla using the camera array available would provide peace of mind to many drivers. This may be related.

[twitter 2] [reddit] Many Tesla owners end up installing a Dashcam to help protect their vehicle from accidental damages. Tesla using the camera array available would provide peace of mind to many drivers. This may be related. Automatically close windows … [unconfirmed]

… while parked, if it starts to rain.

… [unconfirmed] … while parked, if it starts to rain. Window heights via touch screen [unconfirmed] [reddit]

This would be useful for shorts, such as “vent” which would lower all windows to 5% open, “close” to bring them all closed with one-click, “half” to open all windows to 50%, and “open” to open all windows fully. While the driver can control these using controls on the door, these quick options would save time, especially while driving.

[unconfirmed] [reddit] This would be useful for shorts, such as “vent” which would lower all windows to 5% open, “close” to bring them all closed with one-click, “half” to open all windows to 50%, and “open” to open all windows fully. While the driver can control these using controls on the door, these quick options would save time, especially while driving. Improved voice functionality [unconfirmed]

If the voice assistant was a bit better, it would allow for hands-free control of most of the vehicle’s functionality. This would allow the driver to maintain more focus on the road and conditions. Additionally, allow for phonetic names to be associated with contacts to support uncommon names.

[unconfirmed] If the voice assistant was a bit better, it would allow for hands-free control of most of the vehicle’s functionality. This would allow the driver to maintain more focus on the road and conditions. Additionally, allow for phonetic names to be associated with contacts to support uncommon names. Integration with smart (home) services [unconfirmed]

Integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Home would allow owners to quickly ask and find out what their car’s charge status is, where the car is located, or to pre-condition the car. Additionally integration with IFTTT would useful for many owners, some examples: (1) inform your house when you’re heading back, to have your thermostat start warming/cooling before you get home; (2) automatically log/record your trips to a spreadsheet or database; (3) start/stop charging based on triggers.

[unconfirmed] Integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Home would allow owners to quickly ask and find out what their car’s charge status is, where the car is located, or to pre-condition the car. Additionally integration with IFTTT would useful for many owners, some examples: (1) inform your house when you’re heading back, to have your thermostat start warming/cooling before you get home; (2) automatically log/record your trips to a spreadsheet or database; (3) start/stop charging based on triggers. Passenger seat profiles [unconfirmed] [forums.tesla.com]

Like the driver seat profiles, except… for passengers.

[unconfirmed] [forums.tesla.com] Like the driver seat profiles, except… for passengers. Homelink or GPS-based mirror folding [unconfirmed] [reddit]

This would allow the side mirrors to automatically fold themselves when arriving at a specific location, such as prior to entering a garage to fit in tight spaces.

Mobile App Features

Toggle heated seats & steering wheel [twitter]

Sometimes turning on the vents isn’t enough.

[twitter] Sometimes turning on the vents isn’t enough. Toggle rear vents on Model X [unconfirmed]

For Model X owners, currently the app only uses the front vents. If you are trying to let it pre-condition for a family, the rear area may not be comfortable when entering the vehicle.

[unconfirmed] For Model X owners, currently the app only uses the front vents. If you are trying to let it pre-condition for a family, the rear area may not be comfortable when entering the vehicle. Scheduled pre-conditioning [unconfirmed]

Schedule a time you need to leave, potentially based on calendar events, and the vehicle will pre-condition (warm or cool itself to a desired temp) so it is ready to go when you need to leave.

[unconfirmed] Schedule a time you need to leave, potentially based on calendar events, and the vehicle will pre-condition (warm or cool itself to a desired temp) so it is ready to go when you need to leave. Remote camera view [unconfirmed]

The ability to look through the cameras, around your vehicle, to check on its safety remotely. Additionally useful for remembering where you parked. Also see “Dashcam” under Convenience Features.

[unconfirmed] The ability to look through the cameras, around your vehicle, to check on its safety remotely. Additionally useful for remembering where you parked. Also see “Dashcam” under Convenience Features. Close windows [unconfirmed]

If auto-closing windows during rain isn’t possible, being able to remotely close the windows via the mobile app would be handy. This includes sunroof on some Model S vehicles.

[unconfirmed] If auto-closing windows during rain isn’t possible, being able to remotely close the windows via the mobile app would be handy. This includes sunroof on some Model S vehicles. Windows reminder [unconfirmed]

Send a reminder to close the windows if the windows remain open after 30 minutes of leaving the vehicle.

[unconfirmed] Send a reminder to close the windows if the windows remain open after 30 minutes of leaving the vehicle. Data Logger and History Viewer [unconfirmed]

Log your trips, efficiency, history, driving stats, trends, habits, chargers, and more. Similar to an Automatic for other cars, some Tesla owners use TeslaFI.

Infotainment Features

Display the battery level for a connected phone [unconfirmed]

[unconfirmed] Mobile texts and notifications from a connected phone [unconfirmed]

Useful for remaining hands free, improving safety. Simply read aloud newly received messages and allow for voice-to-text responses. Also see “Improved Voice Functionality” under Convenience Features.

[unconfirmed] Useful for remaining hands free, improving safety. Simply read aloud newly received messages and allow for voice-to-text responses. Also see “Improved Voice Functionality” under Convenience Features. Better web browser [twitter]

A highly requested feature. The existing web browser is minimally functional, offering limited use. A better browser would allow for use of more audio streaming and map/navigation services to be used.

[twitter] A highly requested feature. The existing web browser is minimally functional, offering limited use. A better browser would allow for use of more audio streaming and map/navigation services to be used. Volume normalization [unconfirmed]

AKA sound or loudness equalization. This feature will equalize sound output to roughly the same levels, allowing playback of a variety of media files without having to constantly adjust the volume.

[unconfirmed] AKA sound or loudness equalization. This feature will equalize sound output to roughly the same levels, allowing playback of a variety of media files without having to constantly adjust the volume. Adjust passenger seat from screen [unconfirmed] [teslamotorsclub.com]

While driving alone, sometimes you need to adjust the passenger seat for various reasons. Currently the only way to do this is by reaching over and using the adjustments on the side of the seat. This is dangerous for the driver to attempt, and it should be unnecessary. In the Model X the driver can adjust the middle-row seats, it should be simple to add the passenger’s seat to this screen. Also can be useful if you want to help a passenger out.

[unconfirmed] [teslamotorsclub.com] While driving alone, sometimes you need to adjust the passenger seat for various reasons. Currently the only way to do this is by reaching over and using the adjustments on the side of the seat. This is dangerous for the driver to attempt, and it should be unnecessary. In the Model X the driver can adjust the middle-row seats, it should be simple to add the passenger’s seat to this screen. Also can be useful if you want to help a passenger out. Speed-based volume adjustment [unconfirmed]

Many vehicles offer this functionality already, so it is surprising to many Tesla owners to see that Teslas do not. The functionality simply increases the volume of sound based on the vehicles speed. As the car speeds up, more road noise is heard, this leads to many who are constantly fiddling with their volume knob.

[unconfirmed] Many vehicles offer this functionality already, so it is surprising to many Tesla owners to see that Teslas do not. The functionality simply increases the volume of sound based on the vehicles speed. As the car speeds up, more road noise is heard, this leads to many who are constantly fiddling with their volume knob. Playlist support via USB media storage [unconfirmed] [reddit]

[unconfirmed] [reddit] Support for Pandora, Spotify, more streaming services [unconfirmed]

[unconfirmed] Third-party chargers (Navigation) [unconfirmed]

When navigating, Tesla can automatically plan stops at Superchargers and can even map destination chargers. While Tesla’s charging network is growing, it isn’t everywhere yet. Showing third-party chargers such as PlugShare, ChargePoint, ChargeHub, or similar with filtering based on available adapters (e.g. CHAdeMO, EVgo) would allow for drivers to extend their trips easily without fiddling on their phone. This improves safety and convenience.

[unconfirmed] When navigating, Tesla can automatically plan stops at Superchargers and can even map destination chargers. While Tesla’s charging network is growing, it isn’t everywhere yet. Showing third-party chargers such as PlugShare, ChargePoint, ChargeHub, or similar with filtering based on available adapters (e.g. CHAdeMO, EVgo) would allow for drivers to extend their trips easily without fiddling on their phone. This improves safety and convenience. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay [unconfirmed]

Some Tesla drivers don’t believe this is necessary, however, integrating support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay would add a huge amount of functionality at once including a huge amount of the requested infotainment features requested, among many others, such as enhanced media management and playback, audiobook support, support for alternative navigation apps, and much more. This is unlikely, because Tesla wants to control what is on the screen, to prevent video playback and other dangerous things. Some limited support may still be possible.

[unconfirmed] Some Tesla drivers don’t believe this is necessary, however, integrating support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay would add a huge amount of functionality at once including a huge amount of the requested infotainment features requested, among many others, such as enhanced media management and playback, audiobook support, support for alternative navigation apps, and much more. This is unlikely, because Tesla wants to control what is on the screen, to prevent video playback and other dangerous things. Some limited support may still be possible. Quick call Tesla via Phone app [unconfirmed]

Have a tab in the Phone app for quickly calling Tesla hotlines, such as Tesla Roadside Assistance, Tesla Customer Service, the nearest service center (possibly a directory of service centers).

[unconfirmed] Have a tab in the Phone app for quickly calling Tesla hotlines, such as Tesla Roadside Assistance, Tesla Customer Service, the nearest service center (possibly a directory of service centers). Add stops (Navigation) [unconfirmed]

When navigating, allow for additional stops to be configured. When selecting to stop at a super charger, automatically add the charger as a stop rather than clearing the previous destination. This may be related.

[unconfirmed] When navigating, allow for additional stops to be configured. When selecting to stop at a super charger, automatically add the charger as a stop rather than clearing the previous destination. This may be related. Show StreetView when arriving (Navigation) [unconfirmed]

When arriving at your destination, the screen will automatically show a StreetView photo of your destination.

[unconfirmed] When arriving at your destination, the screen will automatically show a StreetView photo of your destination. Voice assistant integration or functionality [unconfirmed]

Integrate a voice assistant service, such as Amazon Alexa, for enhanced functionality. Alternative, Tesla could attempt to rebuild some of the functionality directly. Also see “Improved Voice Functionality” under Convenience Features.

[unconfirmed] Integrate a voice assistant service, such as Amazon Alexa, for enhanced functionality. Alternative, Tesla could attempt to rebuild some of the functionality directly. Also see “Improved Voice Functionality” under Convenience Features. Ability to see tire pressures from the tablet screen [unconfirmed]

Currently, tire pressure is only available from the Status section on the instrument panel screen. This is a bit strange given how nice it is to use the touchscreen.

Issues with unknown solutions

Idling vehicles at Superchargers [twitter] [reddit]

Drivers will leave a vehicle at a Supercharger for hours, unattended. A Supercharger is capable of charging a Tesla very quickly, at the most extreme a Tesla will need less than two hours to fully charge from a dead battery. An idling vehicle limits other Tesla owners from using that Supercharger, causing extreme delays. Musk confirmed he intends to fix this.

Two plausible solutions exist. The first, most obvious, and easiest to implement is to charge an idling fee to the owners, discouraging them from leaving their vehicle unattended. The second, far better but significantly harder, is to replace all Superchargers with ones capable of plugging/unplugging themselves and having the vehicles automatically move to an open, nearby parking spot once charging is complete.

[twitter] [reddit] Drivers will leave a vehicle at a Supercharger for hours, unattended. A Supercharger is capable of charging a Tesla very quickly, at the most extreme a Tesla will need less than two hours to fully charge from a dead battery. An idling vehicle limits other Tesla owners from using that Supercharger, causing extreme delays. Musk confirmed he intends to fix this. Two plausible solutions exist. The first, most obvious, and easiest to implement is to charge an idling fee to the owners, discouraging them from leaving their vehicle unattended. The second, far better but significantly harder, is to replace all Superchargers with ones capable of plugging/unplugging themselves and having the vehicles automatically move to an open, nearby parking spot once charging is complete. Developer support [unconfirmed]

Given the amount of functionality owners want, Tesla should (likely has) considered adding some kind of developer support via an SDK, API, and/or App support. There is risk with exposing specific functionality, but there are ways Tesla could still offer this, so while it is possible it is currently extremely unlikely.

If I missed something, feel free to write a comment or message.

Delivered Features!

This section goes over feature requests that have been delivered, sorted by releases.