CEO Tesla, Elon Muskmay have developed a top-secret driving mode that allows hands-free driving of Tesla vehicles. A hidden feature called “Elon Mode” has been discovered by a Tesla software hacker known as @greentheonly. This anonymous hacker has been studying the code of a Tesla car for years and has already discovered some features even before they were officially activated, such as the power seat and center camera lock on the Model 3.

After finding and activating Elon Mode, greentheonly decided to test the system and released some preview images of the experience. By not showing the exact setting of “Elon Mode” on the screen, the hacker claims that it really exists.

During testing, the hacker found that the car did not require driver attention when using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. FSD is Tesla’s advanced vision-based driver assistance system and is currently available in beta for those who paid up to $15,000 for the option. However, last month an internal leaked report uncovered thousands of customer complaints about sudden braking and hard acceleration associated with FSD.

While Tesla’s Autopilot, a first-generation highway driver assistance system, requires the driver to lightly touch the steering wheel to confirm they’re paying attention, FSD users are also subject to these constant checks. Many owners complain about the frequency of these checks, calling them “annoying”. In some situations, it is necessary to apply sufficient force to turn the steering wheel and, therefore, disable the system.

In addition to having to keep your hands on the steering wheel, vehicles equipped with a central interior camera (above the rearview mirror) constantly follow the driver’s gaze, making sure the driver is focused on the road. However, this system is also considered too sensitive, resulting in constant “watch the road” notifications. In some cases, the system can even be temporarily deactivated, warning the driver that he may lose access to FSD if this happens again.

However, during greentheonly’s extensive test run of almost 600 miles – nearly 1,000 kilometers – in Elon mode, none of those annoying notifications were found. The hacker claims that the test was carried out on a car owned by the company itself, since they were unable to obtain a non-Tesla car to conduct the experiment. The posted video shows greentheonly driving an older Model X that may not have an interior camera installed. It is not clear if this particular model has a camera and how the hacker gained access to the car.

Other Quirks in Elon’s Mode

Among the sightings shared by greentheon on Twitter, the hacker mentions that the system still has some quirks, such as random lane changes and slowdowns on highways. Whether such a version of FSD will be available to ordinary owners is still unknown. Last December, Musk hinted that unannounced driving was just around the corner.

Greentheonly adds that Tesla’s software is more secure than ever compared to 2017, when a hacker began investigating it. Despite consistently managing to bypass Tesla’s security system, Greentheonly claims in his tweets that the level of care and attention Tesla gives to its software is rare compared to other car manufacturers. Hacker considers it “an interesting challenge that keeps getting better.”

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Via: Edge

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