After Tesla started delivering Model S and Model X vehicles with Hardware 4 (HW4), owners shared pictures of new Autopilot cameras for the front, side and rear.
For the front cameras, we saw three cameras in a new layout, leading many to believe there are three being used for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities.
But Tesla’s Service Manuals for Model S and Model X now confirm there are actually just two front cameras and not three. The third camera is a “dummy camera,” says Tesla (via Reddit). It’s unclear why this is the case.
“The bi-camera assembly has cutouts for 3 camera lens assemblies, but one of the cutouts is populated with dummy camera,” explains the service manuals for Model S and Model X.
Here’s a closer look at the front camera HW4 assembly from Tesla’s service manual:
The service manuals also give us a closer look at the new HW4 rear camera lens as well:
The online service manuals note they were last modified on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 13:50.
What will Tesla use for the third dummy camera spot? Maybe it’s saving room for a future upgrade? Or, wishful thinking dreams of a rain sensor for more accurate automatic windshield wipers?
