Tesla now uses its vehicles' in-cabin camera to monitor drivers

[midian182]

What just happened? Tesla is getting in line with other automakers by using its cabin-facing camera to ensure driver attention when the Autopilot advanced driver assistance system is engaged. It comes after CEO Elon Musk previously rejected the idea of using camera-based eye-tracking monitoring as “ineffective.”

The release notes for Tesla’s 2021.4.15.11 software update read: “The cabin camera above your rearview mirror can now detect and alert driver inattentiveness while Autopilot is engaged. Camera data does not leave the car itself, which means the system cannot save or transmit information unless data sharing is enabled.”

Musk had said that instead of being used to monitor drivers’ attention, the cabin-facing camera in Teslas would be used to prevent people vandalizing the vehicles when they are being driven around as part of the company’s upcoming self-driving robotaxi network.

As reported by electrek, Tesla only activated the camera in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles for the first time last year, almost three years after the Model 3 was brought to production. It was enabled via an update asking people to allow the automaker to take videos and pictures to “develop safety features and enhancements in the future” on a voluntary basis.

The cameras had been used in beta tests of the “Full Self-Driving” version of Autopilot, which saw some testers removed because they weren’t paying sufficient attention when the system was engaged.

There are no in-cabin cameras in Model S and Model X vehicles made before 2021, though they’re said to be in the yet-to-ship redesigned versions.

Tesla has long said that drivers need to keep their hands on the steering wheel when Autopilot is controlling the vehicle. Torque sensors in the wheel are used to monitor assertiveness, sending out alerts if they don’t register enough feedback. But we’ve seen people circumvent this system on several occasions—Consumer Reports used a simple weighted chain on the steering wheel to trick the sensors.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/89857-tesla-now-uses-vehicles-cabin-camera-monitor-drivers.html

 

[Dimitriid]

That's surely not a violation of privacy or anything....Because....Look, Elon likes Cryptos again yay!!....

 

[QuantumPhysics]

GM actually got this right with Cadillac's Autonomous driving. I used it in the CT6.

To activate it, you just hold the wheel 9 - 3 and there's a camera that watches your eyes to make sure you are present and paying attention.

Autonomous driving is an absolute savious when you're in bumper to bumper traffic here in Manhattan and returning to your home in queens or Long Island.

 

[Aceseven]

It's amazing to me how much people are willing to give up in order to be lazy.

 

[CommonSenseTech]

Introducing the Tesla Self-Driving Car — which only works when you’re driving the car! Seems like a good use of $10K to me.

 

[wiyosaya]

Introducing the Tesla Self-Driving Car — which only works when you’re driving the car! Seems like a good use of $10K to me.

Yes. Musky ought to back off on his bogus marketing moniker 'Auto Pilot' What a load of marketing He would not then need his cars to spy on the users.

I am willing to bet that this is more so that Musky can avoid lawsuits and blame crashes on people "driving the car wrong."

 

[Michael7]

The biggest Tesla sham - call vehicle autonomy level 2 functions (ADAS) in their cars "Autopilot" which gives their users false sense of security, charge for that $10K and if an accident happens, blame it on the user driving the car wrong. They are even a level above Apple.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Oh yeah, that's not creepy at all! Sign me up for one of those overpriced eggs!

 

[OneSpeed]

There goes date night!

 

[p51d007]

Oh won't insurance, police and lawyers LOVE this.

 

[Markoni35]

Also, if you have sex with your GF on the back seat, your video can enter the porn competition and win a box of condoms and other exciting awards. Tesla holds the copyright on the videos and reserves the right to sell your footage to private bidders and porn sites.

Another potential use is blackmailing the customers, but this source of income is currently waiting approval by the board of directors.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I will not have a car with cameras that I am not in control of.

 

[captaincranky]

I just want to know if the "Musketeer" is getting his perv on, aiming the camera down women's blouses.

 

[captaincranky]

Another potential use is blackmailing the customers, but this source of income is currently waiting approval by the board of directors.

Dude, IIRC, his brother is on the board of directors. Which sort of suggests to me, that they'll be sharing a bowl of popcorn, and watching the choicest footage on "movie night".

As Musk failed in his attempt to lure scouts into his "miniature yellow submarine", this car camera endeavor is likely the next best thing.

 

[Ludak021]

Yea, he sort of got it right