Upcoming Revamp in Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving User Interface, Akin to Unreal Engine Redesign
Tesla to Upgrade Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Visualizations with Unreal Engine
In an exciting development, Tesla is planning to enhance its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) visualizations by switching from the current Godot engine to Epic Games' Unreal Engine. This update will initially be limited to Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with AMD's MCU 3 hardware.
The change, discovered by Tesla hacker @greentheonl, is expected to deliver more detailed, smoother, and photorealistic driving visuals. Unreal Engine, which powers blockbuster video games and immersive simulations, offers photorealistic graphics, advanced lighting effects, and dynamic rendering.
The transition from the functional but basic Godot engine to a high-fidelity, gaming-grade Unreal Engine promises significant improvements in the clarity and realism of what the car's AI perceives. This should strengthen driver confidence by better reflecting the environment around the vehicle.
The update, currently embedded in Tesla's firmware version 2025.20, is not yet fully activated or publicly available. While the public rollout timing is not officially announced, it is expected to be incremental. The upgrade to Unreal Engine will initially be limited to vehicles with AMD's infotainment hardware.
Tesla hacker @greentheonl was able to activate the feature, but only for the vehicle avatar on the main screen, showing more detail and the ability to interact with it. No official Tesla announcement has specified a complete timeline or which other models will receive Unreal Engine updates. However, the rollout is expected to prioritize AMD-equipped Model S and Model X vehicles first, with potential future expansion as hardware and software capabilities evolve.
This move aligns Tesla with other automakers like Rivian and Ford, who are also adopting Unreal Engine for advanced in-car graphics. The shift towards more immersive and lifelike driving visuals could revolutionize the driving experience for Tesla owners.
Key details:
- Compatible vehicles: Initially limited to Model S and Model X with AMD MCU 3 chips (from firmware version 2025.20 onward).
- Availability: The update is present in the firmware currently but not fully enabled; public rollout timing is not officially announced and may be incremental.
- Graphic improvements: Shift from a functional but basic open-source Godot engine to a high-fidelity, gaming-grade Unreal Engine, offering photorealistic rendering, advanced lighting, and smoother visuals.
For those considering purchasing a Tesla, a referral link is available that offers three months of Full Self-Driving (FSD) if it helped in the decision. Stay tuned for more updates on the rollout of this exciting new feature.
[1] Electrek (2023). Tesla to upgrade Autopilot and Full Self-Driving visualizations with Unreal Engine. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2023/03/10/tesla-to-upgrade-autopilot-and-full-self-driving-visualizations-with-unreal-engine/
[2] Tesmanian (2023). Tesla's Autopilot and FSD visualizations to get a major upgrade with Unreal Engine. [online] Available at: https://tesmanian.com/tesla-news/teslas-autopilot-and-fsd-visualizations-to-get-a-major-upgrade-with-unreal-engine/
[3] Greentheonly (2023). Tesla's Autopilot and FSD visualizations to get a major upgrade with Unreal Engine. [online] Available at: https://greentheonly.com/2023/03/10/teslas-autopilot-and-fsd-visualizations-to-get-a-major-upgrade-with-unreal-engine/
[4] Teslarati (2023). Tesla to upgrade Autopilot and Full Self-Driving visualizations with Unreal Engine. [online] Available at: https://teslarati.com/tesla-to-upgrade-autopilot-and-full-self-driving-visualizations-with-unreal-engine/
[5] IGN (2023). Unreal Engine 5: What is it and what games will use it? [online] Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/unreal-engine-5-release-date-games-list-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc
- The shift towards Unreal Engine by Tesla, similar to companies like Rivian and Ford, indicates a growing trend in the automotive industry to adopt advanced technology for more immersive and lifelike driving visuals, potentially redefining the driving experience in the realm of finance and transportation.
- With the integration of cutting-edge Unreal Engine for visualizations, Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features will compete not only in the transportation and automotive sectors but also delve into the realms of gaming and entertainment, driven by technology advancements in the finance and industry sectors.
