Purpose of Internal Camera in Tesla Model 3 Revealed

Ever since the launch of the Tesla Model 3, we have been aware of the subtle cabin-facing camera located in the rearview mirror. The camera comes as standard equipment, but so far it remains dormant. So what is the latest news regarding the Tesla Model 3 internal camera? AJ McGinnis reports for Torque News.

Tesla Model 3 internal camera recognizes faces.

Earlier today Torque News learned on a patent application recently submitted by Tesla. The patent titled "Personalization System and Method for a Vehicle based on Spatial Locations of Occupants’ Body Portions" comes with the following description:

"The following described implementations may be found in the disclosed personalization system and method for a vehicle based on spatial locations of body portions of occupants in the vehicle. Exemplary aspects of the disclosure may include a personalization system that may include an image-capture device and circuitry in an in-vehicle electronic device. The disclosed personalization system, for example, the in-vehicle electronic device, increases improves an overall in-vehicle comfort and entertainment experience for the vehicle occupants. The personalization system provides an advanced, intelligent, and an automatic personalization of in-vehicle systems in real-time or near-real time for enhanced and consistent in-vehicle comfort and entertainment experience, both before and during a drive."

Basically, they are planning on programming the camera to recognize passengers and save personalized settings for each one so that they can be automatically applied.

What settings could be impacted? Adjustable components such as the driver seat, vehicle mirrors, and front mirror may be automatically adjusted. Radio and music preferences, as well as driving mode preferences, may be altered according to the "user preferences in the driver profile of the first occupant". Then there is the fact that the camera may also be used as a selfie camera, "an image sensor, a wide-angle camera, an action camera, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, a camcorder, a time-of-flight camera (ToF camera), a night-vision camera, and/or other such in-vehicle cameras or sensors."

This could be particularly helpful once Tesla's robotaxi fleet gets off of the ground since those personalized settings could be applied no matter what car you step into.

Other Benefits of Having an Internal Camera in Model 3

Having a camera monitoring you while you are in the car may seem creepy at first, but it does come with its benefits. The car could recognize that you are falling asleep at the wheel and then pull over to safety. If the car realizes that a passenger is having a health emergency, it could be pulled over and emergency services may be contacted automatically.

Then there is simple vehicle security. For instance, the other active cameras on Tesla vehicles have already captured vandals and aggressors in the act and led to prosecution. If the car is being used as a robotaxi, having active interior cameras means that passengers can be held responsible for damages or crimes that are committed inside of the vehicle.

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Written by AJ McGinnis.

Alex Guberman is the Editor of EforElectric.com and the publisher of E for Electric Youtube channel. Guberman is a long-time EV advocate covering industry wide news about electric cars. Guberman is also the administrator of one of the largest Tesla Groups on Facebook, called TESLA MODEL S Owners Club. Please, contact him on Twitter at @eforelectric and send him news tips for Torque News.