Tesla’s new hands-free trunk function can be a boon in sure conditions
Tesla house owners with a large teddy bear that must be given a trip can now open the trunk of their car hands-free to get it in. A Tesla video highlighting the brand new function reveals a lady carrying an infinite teddy bear to her automobile, whereupon the trunk detects her presence and routinely opens. And no, it doesn’t solely work for big cuddly toys. The hands-free mechanism features equally effectively when you’re carrying different objects like procuring luggage, a big field, or a few suitcases.
Hands-Free Trunk routinely opens the trunk if you stand behind it briefly with Phone Key enabled
Works on new Model S/X (2021+) & upgraded Model 3 pic.twitter.com/S7ozrDk4kp
— Tesla (@Tesla) May 9, 2024
The hands-free system has arrived as a part of Tesla’s current over-the-air software program replace (model 2024.14), which brings with it a slew of other features, too. It works on the brand new Model S/X (2021 or later), in addition to upgraded Model 3 autos, although it’s not clear if it would even be coming to Tesla’s Model Y (although some house owners of the electrical crossover have been utilizing third-party apps to carry out the identical process). It requires an iPhone 11 or later and Tesla app 4.31.0 or later. Android customers can count on the identical function in a future replace.
To allow the hands-free trunk function, open the Tesla app and go to Vehicle settings, Locks, and activate Hands-Free Trunk. Also, make sure that your cellphone settings enable Nearby Interactions for the Tesla app.
The function solely works when the car secret is near the automobile, which prevents unintentional or unauthorized opening. And don’t fear, it received’t open each time you go your automobile. You first want to face for a second on the rear and pay attention for 3 beeps signaling that the trunk is about to open. If you progress away whereas the beeps are sounding, the process is canceled and the trunk will stay closed.
Many automakers have lengthy had autos with a trunk that may be opened hands-free, although some require you to briefly wave your foot beneath the automobile to activate a sensor that causes the trunk to open. Tesla’s hands-free system requires no such balancing act and as a substitute makes use of UWB (ultra-wideband) sensors to detect the situation of the car proprietor.
