Tesla Expected to Switch to Cabin Camera Detection Instead of Seat Sensors to Address Recall
How does Tesla plan to resolve the issue with the occupancy sensors in its vehicles?
Tesla plans to resolve the issue with the occupancy sensors in its vehicles by relying on the cabin camera instead of the sensors. This change will not only address the occupancy sensor issue but also reduce costs across their vehicles. Tesla's cabin camera will be used to trigger visual and audio warnings if the driver's seatbelt isn't fastened when the vehicle is put into drive or reverse. This update is expected to come as an OTA (over-the-air) update, which means that Tesla vehicles will not have to come into service centers for the change.
How many Tesla vehicles are estimated to be impacted by this recall, and which models are included?
The recall is estimated to impact 125,000 Tesla vehicles across its entire model range, including the Model S, X, 3, and Y. The recall addresses the driver occupancy sensor, which is a known problem since at least 2020 on some vehicles. Instead of relying on the occupancy sensors in its seats, Tesla is expected to use the cabin camera to detect occupancy of the seats, similar to its vision-based belt tensioners. This will be an over-the-air (OTA) update, which means that Tesla vehicles will not have to come into service centers. The update will change how the seat belt warning reminder will function – rather than relying on the sensor, it is expected to rely on the cabin camera to trigger visual and audio warnings if the vehicle is put into drive or reverse and the driver seatbelt isn't fastened.
What are the expected benefits of using the cabin camera over the traditional occupancy sensors in Tesla vehicles?
The expected benefits of using the cabin camera over the traditional occupancy sensors in Tesla vehicles are improved accuracy and reduced costs. By relying on the cabin camera, Tesla can resolve the occupancy sensor issue and potentially provide a more reliable detection system for occupancy and seat belt usage. Additionally, using the cabin camera for these tasks can help reduce costs across their vehicles, as they will no longer need to include an occupancy sensor for each seat position.