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[Podcast] Upcoming SpaceX launch, China + clean energy and Wallabies

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In other news, whilst we may be anxious about the plans for Trumps energy plan – China just made a big statement, saying they are set to invest 174 Billion in clean energy in the next four years. The guys make plans to go to the next Space X launch from Vandenburg. Oh, and we reveal the very real danger that Australians face – wallabies on the road!

Catch all episodes of Talking Tesla at TalkingTesla.net, Stitcher, or on iTunes.

Tesla P85D owner Bruce McMillan forwarded to us the following email, sent to Talking Tesla podcast, which describes his near-miss encounter with an Australian wallaby while driving on Autopilot. A dashcam video has also been provided.

On a recent trip to my daughters (Nov 27th), while listening to your podcast Episode 61, I had an incident with a wallaby running in front of my Tesla.
You can hear your podcast in the background if you view my dash cam video clip. (Because the clip is very short you may not recognise your voice, Mal.)

On a stretch of road in the Western District of Victoria (Australia), I decided to reduce my speed from the allowable 100km/hr and set TACC to 80km/hr because of the potential of coming in contact with a kangaroo. I also engaged Auto pilot.
You can see the wallaby, from a standing start on the other side of the road, jump across in front of my Tesla.

[I have the Level 1 Auto pilot with software 8.0.2.42.40 on my P85D purchased 30/09/2015]

At the time of the incident, I braked when I saw the wallaby start its run across the road, however I also had the sensation of the brakes being applied by the Tesla itself as the brake pedal felt like it was being depressed further than I was pressing the pedal myself. (Hope you get my meaning). I didn’t notice the pulsing of ABS but that may have been because my foot is in plaster!

Reviewing the video, the braking does not appear anywhere near as urgent as it felt to me at the time, which is quite weird. Does the sound of the disengaging of auto pilot depict when the brakes were applied?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJdEsY9eeHg

On a related matter, and a possible corner case for auto pilot.
I felt that traveling at 80km/hr was appropriate on this road even though it is a posted 100km/hr stretch of road; however it did display the hazard sign for kangaroo, but no associated speed restriction.
How would or should auto pilot treat that situation?

I thought a reduced speed gave a much better chance of avoided damage to the car and injury to the animal as 80km/hr gave a better chance of braking/avoidance success.
What happens if the animal is hit/wounded and there is no-one in the car?

About 18 months ago I hit a wallaby with my ‘Holden (Chevy) Volt’ about 200km further along the road. This time the wallaby came from the near side and I hit it with resultant dents to the car.
I could not find the animal, I assumed it was able to continue somehow….

Again, so enjoy the interaction between yourselves and the information you provide and questions you pose.

Cheers from Downunder.
Kindest Regards,
Bruce McMillan
Portland, Victoria, Australia.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla releases Cybertruck metal key card—because why not?

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Credit: Tesla Shop

Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?

Cybertruck keys:

  • The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card. 
  • The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key. 
  • As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.

The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:

  • Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
  • As per Tesla’s description of the item: 
  • “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
  • In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.

Tesla Cybertruck merch push:

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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