Tesla has been at the forefront of producing vehicles with the same hardware, allowing owners to unlock features later through software updates. These software-locked features include heated seats, acceleration boost, and the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, which costs $15,000. While this approach allows Tesla to streamline its manufacturing process and offer customers the flexibility to upgrade their vehicles later, it raises ethical questions about locking down features that the vehicle is fully capable of performing in the first place.
One argument against this practice is that customers who purchase a Tesla vehicle should have access to all the features that the hardware can provide. Locking down features via software can be seen as a way for Tesla to generate additional revenue without providing any tangible benefits to the customer. On the other hand, Tesla argues that offering software-locked features allows them to provide a more affordable base model for customers who may not need or want all the available features.
Hackers Unlocking Tesla’s Software-Locked Features
Recently, a group of hackers at TU Berlin managed to exploit a weakness in Tesla’s onboard computer to unlock software-locked features worth up to $15,000. This includes features like heated seats, acceleration boost, and even Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package. The hackers believe that they can unlock virtually all software-locked features inside Tesla vehicles.
While this exploit raises concerns about vehicle security, it also highlights the demand for unlocking these features without paying the additional fees imposed by Tesla. Some Tesla owners argue that they should be able to access these features without having to pay extra, as they have already purchased the vehicle with the necessary hardware.
Specific Software-Controlled Features
Some of the software-controlled features in Tesla vehicles include:
- Heated seats
- Acceleration boost
- Full Self-Driving package
- Autopilot and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
- Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning
It’s important to note that Tesla continuously upgrades its vehicles through over-the-air software updates, which means that the list of software-controlled features may expand over time.
Conclusion
The practice of locking down features via software in Tesla vehicles raises ethical questions about whether customers should have access to all the features that the hardware can provide. While Tesla argues that this approach allows them to offer a more affordable base model, some customers feel that they should be able to access these features without paying extra. The recent exploit by hackers to unlock these software-locked features highlights the demand for accessing these features without additional fees and raises concerns about vehicle security.