Tesla Debuts “Hey, Tesla” Wake Word for Voice Assistant in China

Tesla has rolled out a significant upgrade in China with the launch of the new Model Y L variant, introducing a wake-word feature for its in-car voice assistant. While Tesla’s voice assistant in China is not powered by Grok, it is more advanced than the version that is available in North America that still controls vehicle functions.

According to images of the settings menu of a new Model Y L in a showroom in China, which is operating on software version 2025.28.803, drivers and also passengers can now simply say “Hey, Tesla” from any of the six seats in the vehicle to activate the system. The assistant has also been designed with improved precision, responding only to commands from the designated sound zone, ensuring a more personalized and less disruptive experience.

Owners can also create a custom wake word.

The update includes a newly designed “Voice Recognition” menu where users can customize how the assistant functions. Among the options is a toggle that allows the assistant to remain active after providing a response, keeping the microphone open for continued conversation. When this feature is enabled, an orange icon to indicate the mic is active appears at the top of the screen to show that the assistant is still listening.

This approach makes interactions more fluid and conversational, reducing the need for repeated activations.

In the 2023.44.30.8 software update last year, what was once called “voice commands” was rebranded as a “voice assistant.” This shift in terminology reflected a broader set of capabilities: instead of merely interpreting short commands to adjust climate controls or set navigation, the system can now interact naturally and provide responses. Drivers can ask for weather forecasts, stock updates, English translations, or even have Tang poetry read aloud in a natural-sounding voice.

Tesla notes that the assistant also has encyclopedic knowledge and can answer general questions about vehicle use, making it far more versatile than its predecessor.

Tesla is also preparing to bring a similar wake-word feature to Grok. Currently, activating Grok requires drivers to press and hold a steering wheel button, while a short press still triggers the older command-based voice interface. Elon Musk has confirmed that a dedicated wake word—likely “Hey, Grok”—will be introduced soon, allowing drivers to activate the AI completely hands-free.

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