New Tesla Model Y: 4D Radar and Automatic 911 Alerts for Kids

Tesla's updated Model Y is currently in production, gearing up for its first deliveries next month. While we've already seen some impressive new features, there's still more to come. A recent video interview with Tesla's engineering team, hosted by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, revealed that the vehicle will include a new 4D cabin radar.

4D Radar

Since 2022, Tesla has included an in-cabin radar, but this new version promises enhanced capabilities. The existing cabin radar is used to verify seat occupancy, but Tesla plans to expand the functionality of this upgraded system.

This advanced radar will provide significantly more detail than the current radar or cabin camera can offer. It will be positioned in the same spot as the existing version, right above the rearview mirror.

Passenger Size Classification

The new radar comes with several impressive safety features. It will detect and classify passenger size to determine which airbags to deploy. For instance, if a shorter person is seated in the front, the dashboard airbag may not activate, while the curtain airbag will.

This feature aims to minimize injuries from airbag deployment and reduce repair costs by avoiding unnecessary airbag activation. By accurately assessing the passenger's size, height, and weight, the vehicle can make better decisions about airbag activation.

Children Left in the Car

Additionally, the classification system allows the radar to distinguish between an adult and a child in the second row, enabling automatic safety adjustments.
The cabin radar will also monitor heart rate and breathing. If it detects a child left unattended in the vehicle, Tesla will send a reminder through the Tesla app. In such cases, the vehicle will activate the HVAC system and issue a reminder. In emergencies, it will automatically call emergency services and report its location.

It's worth noting that while vehicles outside North America have eCall capabilities, those in North America cannot call 911 unless a phone is connected via Bluetooth. We hope Tesla can find a way to enable 911 calls through alternative methods or add eCall capabilities for these vehicles.
In late 2023, Tesla introduced the ability for the vehicle to call 911 over Bluetooth in the event of a crash.

Coming Soon

Although the refreshed Model Y will start shipping in March, these new radar features won't be available right away. Tesla plans to activate these safety enhancements in Q3 2025, likely in late summer or early fall. We'll provide more details on this feature once it's available later this year.