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Tesla Today

Midday editionSaturday, October 24, 2026Oct 24, 1:04 pm PT
Robotaxi

Engineer Says Grok Tuned Cybercab Rearview Camera

A Tesla engineer used Grok to optimize the new rearview camera view for Cybercab riders.

1Robotaxi

Engineer Says Grok Tuned Cybercab Rearview Camera

A Tesla engineer used Grok to optimize the new rearview camera view for Cybercab riders.

Image: Tesla North

Yun-Ta Tsai, a senior staff engineer at Tesla, said Grok helped tune the rearview camera view that riders can now open during a ride. He noted that the tuning implements part of the algorithm by programming fixed-function hardware directly.

The feature appeared after rider requests for on-demand camera access. A quiet mode that darkens the cabin screen also rolled out around the same time.

It remains unclear if the changes will reach Model Y Robotaxis operating in Austin.

Why it mattersFSD drivers may encounter similar Grok-assisted camera and UI refinements in upcoming vehicle software updates.
“(human) camera view tuning is optimized with Grok”Yun-Ta Tsai1
  1. Yun-Ta Tsai said the human camera view tuning is optimized with Grok.1
  2. Riders can now open the rearview camera view in the Cybercab during a ride.1
  3. A quiet mode that turns the Cybercab screen dark is also available.1
Sources: 1 Tesla North
2Robotaxi

Tesla Ships Cybercab Live Activity for iPhone and Apple Watch

A Tesla designer released an updated Live Activity card for Cybercab rides on iPhone and Apple Watch.

Image: Tesla North

Wayne S., a Tesla designer, shipped the feature on Thursday. The card displays the Cybercab wordmark, license plate, arrival minutes, and a progress bar with a sliding gold icon. It supports light mode based on system settings and uses native iOS colors.

Riders in Austin can now access the update via the Robotaxi app. A night mode includes a visual change when the vehicle approaches. Tesla has not released official notes on the update.

The feature remains limited to Cybercab operations in Austin for now.

Why it mattersFSD drivers using the Robotaxi app in Austin can now track Cybercab rides more clearly on their Apple devices.
“the glow as you approach looks different”Wayne S.1
  1. Wayne S. shipped the Live Activity update for iPhone and Apple Watch on Thursday.1
  2. The card shows the Cybercab wordmark, license plate, minutes away, and a progress bar.1
  3. A night surprise transforms the card when the cab pulls up, with a different glow.1
  4. Light mode follows phone system preferences for legibility in Austin sun.1
Sources: 1 Tesla North
3Charging

Tesla Japan Announces New CHAdeMO Adapter for 14,000 Chargers

Tesla Japan will begin selling a new CHAdeMO adapter in January 2027 that supports charging at up to 130 kW on roughly 14,000 fast chargers nationwide.

Image: Tesla North

Tesla Japan said the adapter responds to owner requests for more local fast-charging access. The company posted on X that the device will go on sale in Tesla shops in January 2027 and will support up to 130 kW output.

The new adapter replaces an earlier version limited to 50 kW. Impress Watch reported a price of ¥95,900. Tesla operates 768 Supercharger stalls at 156 sites in Japan, far fewer than the CHAdeMO network.

Why it mattersFSD drivers in Japan gain many more fast-charging locations for longer supervised trips without relying only on Tesla's smaller Supercharger network.
“I want to charge my Tesla at a fast charger near me, too,”Tesla Japan1
  1. Tesla Japan says the adapter will let owners charge at up to 130 kW on roughly 14,000 CHAdeMO fast chargers.1
  2. The adapter goes on sale in Tesla shops starting January 2027.1
  3. The prior CHAdeMO adapter was limited to a maximum of 50 kW.1
  4. Impress Watch reported the adapter will sell for ¥95,900.1
Sources: 1 Tesla North
4FSD & AutopilotFrom earlier today

Tesla Eyes Unsupervised FSD in Q2 2027

Tesla plans to enable unsupervised Full Self-Driving for select customer vehicles in Q2 2027 so owners can add them to the Robotaxi network.

Image: Not a Tesla App

Tesla VP of AI Ashok Elluswamy gave the timeline during the Q3 2026 earnings call. The first customer vehicles are expected to receive the software in Q2 2027 and operate inside geofences as part of the Robotaxi fleet.

FSD v15 will carry the updated neural networks and will reach the Robotaxi fleet first. Customer vehicles will follow in later point releases. Unsupervised operation will start in limited U.S. areas and expand city by city.

More than 75 percent of new North American deliveries in Q3 included paid FSD, bringing the worldwide total above 1.7 million paid customers.

Why it mattersOwners on FSD will know when their vehicles could begin earning money on the Robotaxi network and in which areas unsupervised driving may first appear.
  1. Tesla VP of AI Ashok Elluswamy said first customer vehicles could get unsupervised FSD and join the Robotaxi network around Q2 2027.1
  2. FSD v15 will increase neural network parameters from about 1 billion to 10 billion and will reach the Robotaxi fleet first.1
  3. Over 75 percent of new North American deliveries in Q3 included paid FSD, for a worldwide total above 1.7 million paid customers.1
Sources: 1 Not a Tesla App
5RobotaxiFrom earlier today

Tesla Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New Cities

Tesla launched a Robotaxi Safety website and announced upcoming service in four additional cities while sharing new autonomous miles data.

Image: Tesla Oracle

Tesla has launched a new Robotaxi Safety website that includes a live counter for miles driven autonomously. The site shows more than 3.4 million miles completed by Model Y Robotaxis and Cybercabs across six US cities as of October 23, 2026.

The company announced Robotaxi service will soon begin in four more cities. Current service operates in six cities, with Austin using Cybercabs and Dallas next for that vehicle type.

Tesla also released safety data covering 3.1 million autonomous miles through October 18, 2026, across various conditions. Early versions of FSD v15 Unsupervised are in use on these vehicles.

Why it mattersFSD drivers may gain access to unsupervised Robotaxi service in more cities as Tesla scales operations.
  1. Tesla launched a Robotaxi Safety website with real-time miles counter showing over 3.4 million autonomous miles.1
  2. Robotaxi service will soon be available in four additional cities beyond the current six.1
  3. Safety data covers 3.1 million miles through October 18, 2026, in Model Y Robotaxis and Cybercabs.1
Sources: 1 Tesla Oracle

More from today

VehiclesTesla Ends Cybertruck Plans for Australia and New Zealand
6VehiclesFrom earlier today

Tesla Ends Cybertruck Plans for Australia and New Zealand

Tesla has canceled Cybertruck reservations in Australia and New Zealand after nearly seven years and will refund deposits.

Image: Not a Tesla App

Tesla emailed reservation holders in both countries to cancel orders placed as early as November 2019. The company cited careful consideration in discontinuing plans for right-hand drive production.

Affected customers will receive full refunds within 30 days of confirming details. Tesla is offering a one-year FSD (Supervised) subscription to those who order a new Model 3 or Model Y by the end of 2026.

The Cybertruck remains available only in left-hand drive markets such as North America.

Why it mattersFSD drivers in Australia and New Zealand who held Cybertruck reservations can now claim a free one-year FSD subscription by ordering a Model 3 or Y instead.
  1. Tesla started taking A$150 deposits for Cybertruck in Australia in November 2019.3
  2. The email states: “After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued.”23
  3. Reservation holders who order a Model 3 or Model Y by end of 2026 receive a complimentary one-year FSD (Supervised) subscription.2
VehiclesTesla Offers 0% Financing for Model 3 and Y in Colombia
7VehiclesFrom earlier today

Tesla Offers 0% Financing for Model 3 and Y in Colombia

Tesla LATAM announced zero-interest financing on the Model 3 and Model Y for deliveries before December 31, 2026.

Image: Tesla North

Tesla is offering 0% interest financing on the Model 3 and Model Y in Colombia. The offer requires a 50% down payment and allows financing the balance over up to 36 months through Banco Santander Colombia for individual buyers.

The Model Y starts at COP 119,990,000 and the Model 3 at COP 114,990,000, with deliveries from Mosquera near Bogotá. Tesla launched in Colombia on November 20, 2025, and the Model Y has led sales with 14,381 registrations through September.

Why it mattersLower financing costs in Colombia may allow more owners to allocate savings toward FSD subscriptions or hardware.
  1. 0% financing is available for Model 3 and Model Y deliveries before December 31, 2026.1
  2. Buyers must pay 50% upfront and finance the rest over a maximum of 36 months via Banco Santander Colombia.1
  3. Model Y starts at COP 119,990,000 and Model 3 at COP 114,990,000 with deliveries from Mosquera.1
Sources: 1 Tesla North
EnergyTesla Solar Factory May Get 35 Years of Tax Breaks
8EnergyFrom earlier today

Tesla Solar Factory May Get 35 Years of Tax Breaks

Fort Bend County approved multiple agreements offering Tesla up to 35 years of tax incentives for its proposed $10 billion solar plant.

Image: Electrek

Tesla’s proposed $10 billion Project Crystal Sun solar factory near Richmond, Texas, could receive up to 35 years of local tax breaks on equipment if all agreements take effect. Fort Bend County commissioners approved the deals 4-0 on October 22, though Tesla has not yet committed to building the plant.

The agreements include a 10-year property tax abatement starting as late as 2031, followed by a 20-year grant covering 90 percent of taxes, with possible extensions tied to job targets. Tesla must begin construction by June 30, 2027, and reach commercial production by December 31, 2030, to qualify.

The company applied for a state JETI tax limitation through Lamar CISD, which approved its portion in September. Without incentives, the project’s economics were described as not competitive with another state site.

Why it mattersExpanded solar manufacturing capacity could increase domestic supply of energy products that integrate with Tesla vehicles using FSD.
  1. Tesla’s proposed $10 billion solar factory could get up to 35 years of local tax breaks on its equipment.1
  2. Fort Bend County commissioners approved the agreements 4-0 on October 22.1
  3. Tesla must start construction by June 30, 2027, and begin commercial production by December 31, 2030.1
Sources: 1 Electrek
RobotaxiRobotaxi App Code Hints at Owner Enrollment
9RobotaxiFrom earlier today

Robotaxi App Code Hints at Owner Enrollment

A teardown of Robotaxi app version 26.10 shows code that would let owners enroll their own vehicles.

Image: Tesla North

Tesla’s Robotaxi app now includes code for owners to enroll cars by VIN in the network. The app tracks enrollment stages including pending review, active, dispatched and unenrolled.

Tesla told investors on its Q3 2026 earnings call that the first customer vehicles could join around the second quarter of next year. Ashok Elluswamy noted the remaining step is integrating customer cars into existing geofences and fleet management.

The code also references fixed-route shuttles with predefined stops and Palo Alto campus pins, though no routes are confirmed live. Tesla has not commented on the findings.

Why it mattersFSD drivers could soon earn revenue by adding their own vehicles to the Robotaxi network once qualification and integration steps are complete.
  1. Tesla’s Robotaxi app version 26.10.0 has code allowing owners to enroll their own cars by VIN.1
  2. Tesla said on its Q3 2026 earnings call that first customer vehicles could join the fleet around Q2 next year.1
  3. The app tracks each car through stages such as pending review, active, dispatched and unenrolled.1
  4. Fixed-route shuttles appear in the code with references to Palo Alto campus pins.1
Sources: 1 Tesla North
RobotaxiTesla Registers 69 More Cybercabs, Fleet Reaches 420
10RobotaxiFrom earlier today

Tesla Registers 69 More Cybercabs, Fleet Reaches 420

Tesla added 69 Cybercabs to reach 420 registered units per Texas DMV data.

Illustration: Grok Imagine

Tesla registered another 69 Cybercabs, bringing the total to 420.

The new registrations are documented in Texas DMV records.

These vehicles are intended for the company's Robotaxi fleet.

Why it mattersFSD drivers can monitor Cybercab fleet growth as an indicator of when supervised autonomy may expand into ride-hailing operations.
“Yes, these are real numbers.”SawyerMerritt
  1. Tesla registered another 69 Cybercabs for its Robotaxi fleet.
  2. Total Cybercabs registered to date reached 420.
@SawyerMerritt on XTesla just registered another 69 Cybercabs for its Robotaxi fleet, bringing the total number of Cybercabs registered to date to 420, according to the Texas DMV. Yes, these are real numbers.
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