The core issue at hand is the ongoing debate over Tesla’s hardware upgrades for autonomous driving and whether these changes genuinely enhance safety or simply serve as marketing maneuvers. And this is where it gets controversial… Tesla hints at introducing a new camera sensor that could shed light on future improvements but simultaneously casts doubt on the company’s promises regarding Full Self-Driving (FSD).
Recent discoveries suggest that Tesla may be adding a new camera module to its vehicle hardware lineup, based on code found within the latest firmware updates. While hardware improvements are generally viewed positively, this particular find fuels skepticism about Tesla’s commitments, especially given the history of shifting goalposts for autonomous capabilities—potentially leaving millions of vehicles with outdated hardware.
The find comes from experienced Tesla hacker and researcher @greentheonly, who routinely analyzes software updates for hidden features or hardware modifications. His latest discovery points to a new sensor model labeled IMX00N—an identifier that isn’t part of Tesla’s publicly available specs. It appears Tesla might be upgrading or replacing existing cameras in some new cars.
Currently, Tesla’s Hardware 4 (HW4) uses exterior cameras equipped with Sony IMX963 sensors, which are 5-megapixel models that replaced earlier, lower-resolution Aptina sensors found in Hardware 3 vehicles just two years ago. The potential new sensor, IMX00N, could either serve as a replacement or an enhancement to this setup. However, details about the new sensor’s specifications remain unavailable, leading to speculation about whether it’s a custom Sony design or simply a placeholder name.
To better understand the implications, it’s helpful to compare the specifications of sensors used in Hardware 3 and Hardware 4 Tesla vehicles:
| Specification | Hardware 3.0 (HW3) | Hardware 4.0 (AI4) | Technical Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 1.2 Megapixels (1280x960) | Approximately 5 Megapixels (2896x1876) | Significantly increased data density enables detection of objects at over 300 meters and allows digital zoom.
| Sensor Model | Onsemi AR0136AT | Sony IMX490 (estimated) | Typically, a flagship automotive sensor providing high dynamic range and enhanced imaging.
| Color Filter Array | RCCC (Red-Clear-Clear-Clear) | RGGB (Red-Green-Green-Blue) | Improved color fidelity helps accurately interpret signs, lights, and road markings.
| Dynamic Range | Around 110 dB | Over 120 dB | Better contrast performance, reducing motion artifacts especially in tunnels or at night.
| Data Interface | FPD-Link III (likely) | GMSL2 or MIPI A-PHY | Higher bandwidth support, enabling high-frame-rate, uncompressed 5MP streams.
| Front Cameras | Three (Main, Narrow, Wide) | Two (Main, Wide) | Simplification, as digital zoom replaces the need for a physical telephoto lens.
| Lens Coating | Standard Red IR Cut / Anti-Glare | Enhanced glare mitigation | Reduces headlight glare and sun reflections, improving night and adverse weather performance.
| Heaters | Passive (Waste Heat) | Active Heating Elements | All-weather capability with rapid defogging and de-icing.
| Retrofit Possibility | Not Available | Impossible for HW3 vehicles | Adds to the fragmentation where older models cannot be upgraded.
Electrek’s Take:
It’s natural to expect incremental improvements in Tesla’s vehicle hardware over time. Innovation is generally beneficial. However, three major issues cloud this ongoing hardware evolution:
- Since 2016, Tesla has assured owners that their existing hardware was sufficient for achieving “Full Self-Driving,” with Elon Musk even promising unsupervised capabilities.
- Despite these assurances, full autonomy has yet to be realized, and Tesla has not delivered on its promise to retrofit older vehicles with updated hardware free of charge.
- When Tesla launches new hardware for autonomous driving, it often shifts resources away from refining software for older systems, which raises questions about the longevity and relevance of previously installed hardware.
If the current sensors in HW4—or even HW3—are capable of Level 4 autonomy, then why is Tesla investing in newer sensors? The most logical explanation is that existing sensors have limitations, perhaps in handling glare, low-light conditions, or resolution, which curtails system reliability.
This begs the question: Will Tesla truly upgrade all vehicles to meet the standards necessary for Level 4 autonomy? Given Elon Musk’s previous admission in January 2025 that HW3 computers cannot support Level 4, and the subsequent lack of a clear solution, skepticism grows. Instead of concrete upgrades, Tesla owners received only a tentative promise of a “mini” version of FSD v14, which falls short of full, unsupervised autonomy.
At this point, optimism about Tesla’s ability—or willingness—to deliver on its autonomous driving promises is waning. What do you think? Should Tesla’s focus shift from new hardware innovations to perfecting software compatibility and transparency? Share your thoughts below—do you believe Tesla is genuinely progressing or merely playing catch-up?**
