Tesla has officially rolled out a potentially life-saving feature in its latest vehicle software update, 2025.14.12 – Child Left Alone Detection. The feature, which was first revealed by Tesla engineers in February, is now becoming available to Tesla vehicles equipped with in-cabin radar systems.
Designed to prevent tragic cases of children being left unattended in hot or cold vehicles, the system actively monitors the cabin and triggers alerts when it detects a child may have been left behind.
How It Works
Once the system identifies an unattended child inside the car, it initiates a series of escalating warnings. The vehicle’s exterior hazard lights begin flashing, an audible alert is activated, and a push notification is sent to the owner’s Tesla app. These warnings are repeated at intervals until someone returns to the vehicle.
Notably, all data collected for this feature is processed locally on the vehicle’s hardware and is not sent to Tesla’s servers, addressing potential privacy concerns.
The feature is enabled by default, but owners can disable it through the in-car menu by navigating to Controls > Safety > Child Left Alone Detection. (via Not A Tesla App)
Compatible Models
While the potentially life-saving feature is now rolling out, it is only available on vehicles equipped with Tesla’s latest in-cabin radar technology, which includes:
- Model Y (2022+)
- Model 3 (2024+)
- Cybertruck
- Model S and Model X (2021+)
The in-cabin radar is located behind the headliner above the rear-view mirror. The radar has been sitting dormant in cars for several years, showing Tesla’s forethought to future-proof their vehicles.
A Step Forward in Child Safety
Tesla’s new feature builds on earlier cabin systems the company introduced, including Cabin Overheat Protection. This feature allows the owner to turn on climate control to keep cabin temperatures safe when children or pets might be inside.
Child detection technology has become an increasing focus for automakers worldwide. In fact, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) announced in 2023 that starting in 2025, child presence detection will be part of its vehicle safety rating system. Several automakers like Hyundai, Volvo, and Nissan have implemented similar technologies, but Tesla’s approach—with real-time alerts and integration into its app ecosystem—pushes the bar even higher.
As Tesla continues to enhance its vehicles with over-the-air software updates, safety remains a top priority. The Child Left Alone feature could help prevent heartbreaking incidents that still happen far too often. According to KidsAndCars.org, an average of 38 children die each year in the U.S. from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle.
With Tesla’s proactive approach and strong user base, this new feature could have a meaningful impact not just for Tesla owners—but potentially as a model for the broader industry to follow.
