AUTONEWS

Tesla makes it easy to tell HW4 and HW3 vehicles as it preps license plate number visuals

As more and more Full Self-Driving (Supervised) features arrive first on newer Teslas with a Hardware 4.0 set, Tesla is making it much easier for owners to check if they have a HW4 or HW3 car.

Tesla has finally made it easier to tell if its cars have a HW3 or HW4 set of FSD cameras and computing power.

With the latest 2024.38 software update, it is now listing the FSD hardware version directly in the additional vehicle info submenu.

How to tell if a Tesla is on HW3 or HW4...After tapping on the Additional Vehicle Information link under the FSD computer option in the Controls > Software menu section, the Tesla vehicle display will show whether it has a HW4, HW3, or the older HW2.5 kit.

Tesla now calls Hardware 4.0 an AI4 computer, and that is how it is displayed in the new FSD hardware version visualization option.

So far, the only way to tell if a Tesla vehicle has a HW3 or HW4 kit has been rather convoluted, counting on physical peculiarities like the red tint inherent to AI4 cameras, or the delivery date.

Vehicles on Tesla HW4 are still few and far between, but they got the FSD 12.5 update first and, according to Tesla's AI chief, they will also be first in line to get the upcoming FSD 13 update with the following features:

36 Hz, full-resolution AI4 video inputs

Native AI4 inputs and neural network architectures

3x model size and context length, 4.2x data, 5x training compute scaling

Much improved reward predictions for collision avoidance, following traffic controls, and navigation

Efficient representation of maps and navigation inputs

Audio inputs for better handling of emergency vehicles

Redesigned controller for smoother, more accurate tracking

Integrated unpark, reverse, and park capabilities

Support for destination options including pulling over, parking in a spot, driveway, or garage

Improved camera cleaning and handling of camera occlusions

Elon Musk is on record saying that, in the rare chance that HW3 vehicles wouldn't be able to run the unsupervised FSD coming with the v13 update, they will be upgraded to the AI4 computer for free.

Previously, it was thought that easy HW3 to HW4 retrofits aren't possible due to the difference in system board size and connectors. A visit to a Tesla service center will have to get around those limitations, though, as the automaker needs miles driven on FSD to demonstrate its safety record to regulators in charge of allowing the Robotaxi and Cybercab service on public roads.

Tesla license plate number display...After showing the FSD hardware version on the vehicle display, Tesla is now preparing to visualize the car's license plate number, too. Hacker Green has parsed Tesla's 2024.38 update code strings, and found references to a license plate number display on the car visual shown from the central console screen. The Tesla license plate visualization feature seems to be arriving to Chinese versions first, as the company often does, and will probably then roll out globally.

Apart from showing the license plate number where there is now a blank plate, owners will also be able to key in anything they desire. Those with kids who like to paint their virtual Tesla in odd colors for the central display will appreciate yet another entertainment option, as they will be able to personalize one more aspect of the car's visualizations, either with purpose, or just for fun.

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