Online users have been jokingly suggesting that Tesla’s future FSD (Full Self-Driving) visualizations might start including “virtual protesters.” While meant in jest, such a feature could ironically prove quite practical in France where protests and blockades are a common scene.
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Tesla’s Increasingly Detailed FSD Visualizations
Around the web, various Tesla-related accounts have shared 3D model images featuring a protester holding a sign, playfully envisioning its inclusion in Tesla’s autonomous driving mode. This humor was sparked by recent software updates: Tesla is constantly enhancing the 3D rendering of the environment captured by its cameras.
These visualizations, crucial to the system’s operation, grow more elaborate with each version, the latest being 14.1.1, aimed at correcting the abrupt braking issues present in version 14. However, not all Tesla vehicles are compatible; only those equipped with HW4 hardware (or equivalent) can support these beta releases, which are rolled out incrementally.
Frequent Updates, but Not Always Stable
The frequency of FSD updates is inconsistent. Tesla releases major updates every six to twelve months, interspersed with smaller patches. These updates are intended to enhance smoothness and obstacle detection.
Simultaneously, European regulators keep a close watch on Tesla: in France, the DGCCRF has already threatened the company with fines over misleading advertising regarding the FSD’s “autonomous” capabilities.
Anti-Tesla Protests: Quieter but Still Present
The jests about “virtual protesters” remind us that there are real protests against Elon Musk and Tesla. The “Tesla Takedown” movement, which started in early 2025, has mobilized thousands across over 200 cities, criticizing the company’s social practices and the CEO’s image. In France, some symbolic actions have occurred, like the temporary occupation of Tesla France’s headquarters, but the fervor has waned since last summer. Nevertheless, a certain discomfort remains among some customers, who express unease over the CEO’s excesses. However, it must be admitted that the intensity of the movement has significantly diminished.
Regardless, in a country accustomed to marches and blockades, the idea of seeing protester silhouettes on a Model 3’s display might almost make sense. But it remains a mere jest: no concrete project mentions this type of detection.
What’s the Take?
While humorous in concept, this “feature” raises serious questions. Who defines what a protester is? What would the car do if it “saw” one? Indeed, it’s not all that simple.