The new Tesla Model Y has arrived with a slew of updates, but the crown for the best addition probably goes to a long-awaited feature at the front of the car that could be crucial to the company’s autonomous driving plans.
Customers in China and other Asia-Pacific markets can now order the new Tesla Model Y “Juniper.” The EV maker has made changes to the electric SUV, similar to the 2024 update to the Model 3 “Highland.”
However, one feature added to the Model Y Juniper but not the Model 3 Highland is the front camera, which Tesla has placed on the bumper. (A front camera did appear in initial promotional images of the Model 3 Highland, but never made it into production)
According to Tesla, the new bumper camera “provides a wider field of view for automatic assisted driving and advanced Smart Summon.”
Tesla relies on these cameras and famously rejects radar and LiDAR for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) offering. The new camera will probably help make the tech more accurate by acting as another footage source.
With the additional of the front bumper camera, the new Model Y has a total of 8 on-board cameras.
