Slashdot Mirror


Tesla 'Dog Mode' Will Stop Pets From Overheating In Cars, Elon Musk Says (nzherald.co.nz)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his fleet of electric vehicles will be getting a "dog mode" to protect pets from overheating. The feature, which will be rolled out next week, will be able to detect when a pet is locked inside the car -- and keep the temperature at a safe level. The New Zealand Herald reports: There will also likely be a display or some form of communication to inform passers-by that the dog is safe. The feature was added after Musk was inundated with tweets from customers. In October, one Tesla driver asked him: "Can you put a dog mode on the Tesla Model 3. "Where the music plays and the air conditioning is on, with a display on screen saying 'I'm fine my owner will be right back?'" Musk replied: "Yes."

'Dog mode' will likely be an extension of Tesla's Cabin Overheat Protection System. This already prevents temperatures inside the car from reaching unsafe levels when kids or pets are inside. But the screen in Tesla models is likely to now flash a message to pedestrians informing them that the pet inside is safe. The "dog mode" update will be launched at the same time as a "sentry mode" -- designed to ward off would-be thieves. Sentry Mode will use the dashcam to record footage in the event of an attempted break-in. And it is rumored the car will play loud classical music through the stereo system to draw attention to the intruder and encourage passersby to call the police.

4 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Rei by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I know Elon Musk is your personal hero and savior, but to the rest of us he is a scummy salesguy.

    Speak for yourself. I'm not in love with him like Rei, but I also respect what he's managed to accomplish, and where he's choosing to spend his money. I want EVs to succeed, and he's helped that. I want space to be developed more, and he's furthering that.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Re:Rei by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Accomplished? Other than coasting on other people's work, what has he actually managed to accomplish? In this case, Tesla was already founded when he attached himself to it, and the company itself would be doing far better without him.

    1) I notice you didn't mention SpaceX, since that would completely destroy your argument.
    2) Tesla is a cult of Musk. Everyone but you understands that Tesla would not be doing better without him.

    Those stupid Hyperloops that he's been pushing, are completely by other people now, he doesn't have any involvement.

    So what you're saying is that he catalyzed next-generation transportation? Thanks for agreeing with me.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  3. Re:Babies by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is it dog only, or will it work with a baby?

    According to TFA, there is a sensor to detect if a dog is in the car. It isn't clear if it would also detect a baby. But dogs and babies should have similar sensor profiles, so you should be fine. So, sure, feel free to leave your baby in the hot car. What could go wrong?

    If you can't afford a Tesla, here is a low tech trick to avoid killing your baby: When you put the kid in the carseat, put your wallet & cellphone on the floor next to the baby. Then when you get where you are going and reach into your pocket for your cellphone to check your Facebook status, the phone is NOT THERE! Then you remember that you left your baby in the car. Broiled infant brain avoided!

  4. Eyeroll by sjbe · · Score: 1, Insightful

    For the record, I love the idea of electric cars, it's just that Tesla's surveillance-heavy, repair-unfriendly implementation sucks.

    Right because all the other car makers are just killing it with their EVs implment... oh that's right they barely exist. I think you need to take off the tinfoil hat. If you don't like/want a Telsa for whatever reason that's fine. But their cars are clearly popular and people find them good value for money. The notion that it is some unrepairable, Orwell-mobile is just absurd.

    Whatever you think of Tesla, if you think the other automakers won't do approximately the exact same things Tesla is doing you are delusional. It just didn't occur to them to really try. Tesla just gets the advantage of starting with a clean slate and not having to answer to shareholders demanding steady quarterly profits to deal with.