Tesla has officially released its new Child Left Alone Detection feature as part of software update 2025.14.12, aiming to help prevent child heatstroke incidents in parked vehicles.
The system uses Cabin Radar, a 4D imaging sensor capable of detecting subtle movements like breathing, even through car seats. If a child is detected alone inside the vehicle, the car will automatically flash its exterior lights, sound an alert tone, and send a notification to the Tesla mobile app. These alerts will repeat at regular intervals until someone returns to the vehicle.
Tesla says this feature is enabled by default, and users can turn it off via Controls > Safety > Child Left Alone Detection in the vehicle menu. All cabin data is processed locally and is not transmitted to Tesla, ensuring privacy.
The Cabin Radar system first became available in newer versions of the Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck. Vehicles from 2022 will gain access to the feature through an over-the-air update.
Tesla’s addition of this alert system is a major step toward addressing the tragic statistic that 37 children die from heatstroke in vehicles each year in the U.S. The company has previously said the feature will support other safety tools such as driver detection and auto parking brake engagement.
The 2025.14.12 release notes can be seen below:
Child Left Alone Detection
If an unattended child is detected, the vehicle will flash the exterior indicator lights, play an alert tone, and send a notification to your Tesla app. This will repeat at regular intervals until you return to your vehicle. Cabin data is processed locally and is not transmitted to Tesla.
This feature is enabled by default. To disable, go to Controls > Safety > Child Left Alone Detection.
