Model S Plaid

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sedan

Teslas are very high-tech automobiles, where software is just as important as hardware. In some cases, Tesla owners are able to enhance their cars themselves. For example, using an app called Tesla Android, one can gain access to Apple CarPlay, among other features. In addition, we recently learned that you can make a Tesla Model S Plaid go faster than 200 mph with no more than a software hack, although we'd recommend fitting high-performance brakes if you don't want your track day to end in disaster. But sometimes, Tesla itself provides improvements to existing models using over-the-air (OTA) updates, and the latest such update allows its vehicles to scan roads for potholes and other imperfections, adjusting the suspension to suit.

The release notes provided with software update 2022.20 explain: "Tesla Adaptive Suspension will now adjust ride height for an upcoming rough road section. This adjustment may occur at various locations, subject to availability, as the vehicle downloads rough road map data generated by Tesla vehicles."

The notes go on to explain that "the instrument cluster will continue to indicate when the suspension is raised for comfort." As impressive as the update is (for models with adaptive suspension, like the Model S and Model X), this is only the start. In 2020, company CEO Elon Musk said that Autopilot would eventually be able to detect potholes and make mini-maps to remember and avoid them. This adaptive suspension update is a step towards achieving that goal.

At the same time, this new update has allowed data from a Tesla's onboard cameras to enhance the performance of the seatbelt pre-tensioners: "Your seatbelts will now begin to tighten and protect properly restrained occupants earlier in a wider array of frontal crashes." Basically, Teslas will now anticipate a crash and help secure occupants before impact rather than after. Tesla says that this provides "the most cutting edge seatbelt pre-tensioner performance in the event of a frontal crash."

With these updates, Tesla is making its cars more comfortable and safer than ever. And because of their software-based nature, these cars don't even need to go to a dealership to be enhanced. We're living in the future, folks.