Tesla’s Cabin Camera Just Got Even Weirder

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla’s interior cabin camera has been a source of concern for awhile, and for several reasons. First of all, not everyone realizes that there is a cabin camera. Second of all, people have to actively choose to not share the data that the cabin camera is capturing. Otherwise, Tesla is being sent everything that happens inside of the car. And finally, while the cabin camera is supposed to be monitoring driver inattention, it hasn’t been doing a great job of that, until now anyway. With Tesla’s interior cabin camera update, driver monitoring just got better – and maybe a little weirder. 

2021 Tesla Model Y | Tesla

Tesla’s cabin camera has been watching drivers for awhile

Tesla’s cabin camera has been in Tesla vehicles since 2017. It initially started in only the Model 3, and wasn’t actually doing anything. According to Teslarati, in 2019 Elon Musk tweeted that the cabin camera was meant for robotaxi. (It should be noted that one Twitter user had the brilliant idea of allowing the cabin camera to capture car karaoke, or “Caraoke,” which seems like it would be a huge selling point for Tesla.)

Then Tesla started using the cabin cameras. When they were first activated, their stated purpose was to record what was happening in a vehicle right before an accident. This sort of data would be valuable to preventing accidents and improving the safety in Teslas. This is optional for Tesla owners. They have to turn off the feature which shares images and information with Tesla through the settings feature. 

What else is the cabin camera good for?

Of course Tesla is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the trends regarding technology. And safety is always a concern for Tesla, especially because their two semi-autonomous driving systems, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, are fairly regularly under fire. There are Tesla drivers who use these features and either ignore or are unaware of, Tesla’s warnings that the vehicles are not capable of full autonomous driving. Accidents involving Teslas while these features are engaged are on the rise, and several organizations and politicians are calling for Tesla to be investigated. 

Naturally, Tesla wants to cut down on the number of negative incidents involving their vehicles. They began using the cabin camera as a way to monitor driver’s behavior while behind the wheel. Some of Tesla’s uses of the cabin camera were made public by a hacker known as @greentheonly. These included where their eyes were looking, and whether they were using a phone while driving. 

Tesla wants to improve driver monitoring

Tesla’s interior cabin camera update is part of the larger Tesla software update 2021.32.5. The cabin camera has been expanded to a larger number of vehicles, those that are still equipped with radar. (Tesla recently ditched radar in favor of a full camera-based system). 

The cabin camera update will monitor driver behavior and also send an alert to an inattentive driver. Look away from the road? Or use your phone? You’ll get a chime to remind you to pay attention. Tesla drivers posting about the feature on various social media channels have reported that they do feel that they pay attention a little more knowing that their car is watching them. 

The real question is, how much do people want to be surveillanced? And how much responsibility does Tesla have to create vehicles that must be used as responsibly as any other vehicle? It’s a dicey situation, when we have vehicles that can almost but not quite drive themselves, and cameras watching our every move. Perhaps as the technology improves, car manufacturers and drivers can find a way to operate ethically and responsibly – both while making cars and while driving them. 

RELATED: Teslas Keep Crashing Into Emergency Vehicles

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Joe Biden Wants Half of All New Vehicles to Be EVs by 2030, but Automakers Are Less Optimistic

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Joe Biden recently released a statement highlighting an ambitious goal for electric vehicles (EVs). The Biden administration has already focused on EVs from the start, especially with infrastructure like charging stations. This new goal is supposed to put the U.S. in better standing for the global EV race. EVs are spreading very quickly at the moment, especially in Europe and China. It would also put the U.S. one step closer to meeting carbon emission reductions, especially considering it rejoined the Paris Agreement earlier this year. Read on to find out the Biden administration’s past goals related to EVs, how Biden’s goal stacks up against what automakers say, and the current state of EVs in the nation.

The Biden administration’s past goals on EVs

Joe Biden exiting a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe at the White House | JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

The new goal from Joe Biden isn’t entirely new, as there’s been work for an agreement on EV goals since early 2021. According to Reuters, in March 2021, 71 Democrats from the House of Representatives stated that the U.S. should aim for 60% emission-free vehicles by 2030. Later, this amount changed from a 50%-52% decrease in carbon emissions at a global climate summit. Others desired even lower emissions, as a group of governors stated the U.S. should follow Europe and ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035.

Biden’s goal vs. what automakers believe the goal should be

Recently, the Biden administration put out a statement saying that they would plan for 50% of all new vehicle sales to be EVs by 2030, according to Green Car Reports. Meanwhile, Ford, GM, and Stellantis put out a joint statement saying the companies would shoot for 40% instead. This indicates automakers are overall less optimistic than the government when it comes to future EV goals.

This lack of optimism may come from the lack of a clearly outlined plan. For example, according to E&E News, “the target has no penalty for noncompliance.” Some automakers behind in the EV race, such as Toyota, may be more reluctant to adopt these standards but face no penalty for failing to meet them.

Meanwhile, environmentalists have criticized the numbers from Joe Biden, saying that they’re much too low. According to the New York Times, the European Commission said it would ban all ICE vehicles by 2035. Unlike the Biden administration’s statement, this would eliminate all hybrids, leaving room for only battery-powered and other eco-friendly vehicles. Without eliminating hybrids, carbon emissions would continue, as would gas stations.

The current state of EV production, popularity, and infrastructure

EVs have steadily gained popularity across the U.S. However, there is some consumer reluctance, especially when it comes to factors such as range anxiety. Many fear that their EV will run out of charge while driving and won’t be close enough to a charging station. Price has also been a factor, as many EVs, especially higher-end models, are significantly more expensive than ICE counterparts.

However, many of these hesitancies are slowly becoming irrelevant. As more automakers have stepped into the EV market, competition has forced some EV models’ prices to drop. There is also a $7,500 tax credit incentive, which may increase to over $10,000 at some point. This has encouraged many consumers to purchase their first EV. New charging stations are being built across the U.S. at the direction of EV makers, third parties, and the government. For example, Electrify America plans to double its charging network by 2025.

Taken together, these changes have encouraged and will continue to encourage EV sales and infrastructure.

RELATED: Elon Musk Says Tesla Won’t Build a Factory in India Unless the Automaker Gets a Tax Cut

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Floating Motors is Making Jaguar XKE, Porsche, Mini Cooper Boats, and More

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It had to happen. For the classic car enthusiast that has everything, now he’ll need one of these too. These are just some of the examples of Floating Motor’s line of classic car boats. Yes, they’re boats. 

Floating Motors calls these “Retro-Floating”

Floating Motors Retro-Floating boats | FM

The company wants to create an entirely new segment of boating it calls “Resto-Floating.” And, why not? Just look at all of the different varieties of iconic vehicles from motordom’s past. There is everything from a Porsche 550 Spyder to the General Lee Dodge Charger. 

If you opt for the VW Microbus you even get an upper deck with a lounge area in the rear. It’s got everything that an expensive yacht has. There is also a diving platform. 

Different motors, hulls, and seating are available from Floating Motors

Floating Motors Retro-Floating boats
Floating Motors Retro-Floating boats | FM

Floating Motors really has many enthusiasts covered offering a Mini Cooper, Fiat Jolly, and Jaguar XKE, besides the above-mentioned models. If you have a hard time making a decision, you can base it on your storage space or size. These classic car watercraft come in lengths from between nine and 11 feet all of the way up to almost 25 feet. There are still more choices.

You can choose your iconic car, and then which type of hull you would like. A catamaran, foil, or conventional hull is waiting for your decision. There are five different electric outboard motors available, too. These range from 40 hp to 240 hp depending on which model you choose. 

Your Floating Motors boat could be a passenger taxi for some extra cha-cha

Floating Motors Retro-Floating boats
Floating Motors Retro-Floating boats | FM

There are different suspensions available. Floating Motors says you can configure the boats to various seating arrangements so you can even start a fleet of water taxis. Yes, you could get passengers to pay down some of the boat loan if you wish. 

Floating Motors has teamed up with Jet Capsule S.r.L., which is a watercraft manufacturer based in Italy. It is also manufacturing these Resto-Floating machines in conjunction with Lazzarini Design Studio. And Jet Capsule has been exporting its unique watercraft to China, Canada, and Spain, among other countries. 

Jet Capsule already manufactures its own line of unusual boats

Jet Capsule enclosed pod-boat
The Jet Capsule pod-like boat | JC

Looking like its name, Jet Capsule manufactures a pod-like boat that is fully enclosed. It does have a short deck attached to the aft, but this is primarily a pleasure craft to travel inside of. Or maybe fish out of? 

It remains to be seen how long it will take for this venture to begin production. So right now there are no estimated of what the prices are or when you can buy one. But we can’t wait to get a glimpse at the first models.

RELATED: Fueling up a Boat Is Much Different Than a Car

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$70,000 Ram 1500 TRX Gets Submerged in Texas

by Gabrielle DeSantis

This Ram 1500 TRX just sunk trying to get through deep water. The Ram 1500 TRX is currently Ram’s most capable (and most expensive) model. The Hellcat-powered truck is insanely powerful, but power means nothing when faced with feet of water.

Ram 1500 TRX goes for a swim and drowns

The Ram 1500 TRX | Ram

The Ram 1500 TRX is easily one of the toughest trucks around. The off-roading truck is built to be over-the-top. Naturally, drivers often put their trucks to the test. Why buy a TRX if you can’t push it to its limits, right?

A Ram 1500 TRX owner took his truck to the Xtreme Off-Road Park in Crosby, Texas, for some off-roading fun. Parks like this are what this truck is built for. Nothing can stop the TRX…nothing except water.

According to MotorTrend, this driver learned that even TRXs are no match for water the hard way. The Xtreme Off-Road Park in Crosby, Texas features off-road trails, mud bogs, and hill climbs. The driver put his TRX up against a water crossing, and the water crossing won. The TRX got trapped in the water crossing, doing an inconceivable amount of damage to the expensive truck.

What is so special about the Ram TRX?

A silver Ram 1500 TRX.
The Ram 1500 TRX | Ram

The Ram 1500 TRX may not be designed for water crossing, but it’s still a special truck. The wonder of the truck lies within its ferocious Hellcat engine. The supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat engine makes a monstrous 702 horsepower.

The Hellcat engine is known as one of the most powerful engines ever made. Hellcat engines usually power Dodge muscle cars, so the idea of a Hellcat-powered truck blew the minds of consumers and performance engine fans.

Trucks are generally powerful, but the Hellcat engine is on a whole other level. This power, combined with the Ram 1500’s popular design, created a combination that could conquer all kinds of terrain and obstacles. The Hellcat-powered truck is in direct competition with the mighty Ford F-150 Raptor.

The performance truck is special because it is, in many ways the ideal truck. It’s powerful and can overcome almost anything. The truck was made for fun, and drivers have been enjoying it. That being said, every vehicle has its limits. Before battling a water crossing with the Hellcat-powered truck, ask yourself, do any trucks perform well under water?

Should you buy a Ram 1500 TRX?

A red Ram 1500 Rebel TRX 4x4.
The 2017 RAM 1500 Rebel TRX 4×4 | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

Recent Ram 1500 TRX models have retailed for upwards of $70,000. The average consumer can’t afford a $70,000 truck. The average consumer will likely never experience an engine this powerful. The TRX isn’t average, only a few lucky drivers will ever feel this beast’s power.

If you can afford the expensive performance truck, there are few reasons not to buy it. It makes more horsepower than the Ford F-150 Raptor and costs only a few thousand dollars more. When it comes to powerful trucks, there’s really no beating the TRX…unless you put it against a large body of water.

RELATED: Will the Ram 1500 TRX Be the Least Fuel-Efficient Off-Road Pickup?

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