Back in June Tesla registered a new high resolution radar unit with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Under the FCC confidentiality policy some of the details surrounding the new unit were not released, including the user manual, internal and external photos, and test setup photos.
The confidentiality clause was only for a limited period of time and was set to expire tomorrow, December 7, 2022.
However in a filing dated November 18, 2022, Tesla is not ready for the information to be made public, and has requested the information remain confidential “to avoid any unnecessary disclosure and competitive harm” that would result from its release.
Instead, Tesla has requested the information be kept out of public view for another 60 days from the date of expiration to February 7, 2022 because they plan to market the new high-res radar unit in “mid-January.” (via @Taka87)
Although none of the documentation found thus far confirms it, it is believed this high-res radar unit will be part of Tesla’s next-generation self-driving computer, known as HW4.
Elon Musk has previously said Tesla would introduce the next-generation computer with the launch of the Cybertruck, which isn’t set to enter production until mid-2023.
However recent rumours by Twitter user Chris Zheng, who has connections to Tesla’s supply chain have suggested an imminent release of HW4.
Tesla Autopilot HW 4.0 coming very soon!
— Chris Zheng (@ChrisZheng001) November 30, 2022
Since the filing with the FCC in June, Tesla has also added the new radar unit to the parts catalog for the Model X, suggesting it might appear first in Tesla’s flagship SUV.
There have also been reports that HW4 will use 5 megapixel cameras. A supplier in China revealed in October they were already shipping these new camera units to Tesla. Drive Tesla reported on this development, and the company reached out to us directly to ask us to remove any mention of their company name due to their “unlawful disclosure.”
