Tesla confirmed: HW3 upgrade for FSD owners - but not for everyone?

Tesla has officially confirmed that vehicles with Hardware 3 (HW3) will be upgraded to a more powerful FSD computer unit computer unit - but only for those who have the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package. Subscribers to the FSD service are excluded for the time being.

CEO Elon Musk admitted in the Q4 2024 earnings call that the process "painful and difficult" but promised that Tesla the upgrades would be carried out.

Why the HW3 upgrade is necessary

Tesla relies on neural networks and AIto make autonomous driving a reality. The HW3 platformwhich was launched in 2019, has proven to be a milestone - but with the introduction of HW4 in newer models, it is clear that HW3 with the latest software developments can no longer keep pace.

Differences between HW3 and HW4:

HW4 has a higher computing powerwhich means it can process more complex FSD algorithms faster.
Better camera hardware in new Tesla-models enables more accurate detection of the surroundings.
HW3 software lags behindas new FSD updates are released for HW4 first.

Since Tesla plans, Unsupervised FSD from 2025 it is crucial that older vehicles are equipped with more powerful hardware.

How will the upgrade be carried out?

One of the big challenges is that HW4 has a different design and cabling to HW3 which makes a simple plug-and-play upgrade impossible.

Possible solutions for the upgrade:

Customized HW4 version: Tesla Could develop a specially designed HW4 variant that fits mechanically into existing HW3 vehicles.
Hybrid solution between HW3 and HW4: A mix of new and old hardware that offers more computing power but remains compatible with existing wiring.

However, Musk confirmed that the cameras do not need to be replacedas they are still sufficiently powerful.

When will the upgrade start?

Tesla has not yet announced an exact timetable for the start of the upgrades, but it will be a huge logistical effort:

Tesla Service Centers are already working at full capacitywhich could make appointments more difficult.
Each vehicle must be converted individuallywhich slows down the process.

It is expected that Tesla the upgrades rolled out graduallyto minimize the load on the service infrastructure.

What does this mean for FSD subscribers?

Currently only purchasers of the FSD package receive the free upgrade - Subscribers who pay monthly for FSD are left empty-handed.

But this could change in the future:

Tesla FSD could offer a paid upgrade for subscribers that between 2,000 and 3,000 US dollars could cost.
Initially Tesla ensure that there is enough hardware for FSD buyers is available.

Conclusion: Important upgrade with challenges

The HW3 upgrade is a important prerequisite for Tesla's autonomy strategybut comes with logistical hurdles. While FSD buyers benefit from a free upgrade, subscribers will probably have to wait even longer - and presumably pay for the upgrade.

Anyone who has already purchased an FSD package can rejoice: the upgrade ensures that your own vehicle is will continue to be equipped with the latest Tesla-software versions in the future.

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