Tesla to Unlock Dashcam With Software Update

This is something that I’ve been pondering for quite some time. It seems like such an obvious fit, yet as far as I know, no one has done it. Until now. Or soon, anyway, as Tesla will be pushing out a software update that will effectively enable dashcam functionality in their electric vehicles.

Here on MEGATechNews, we’ve reviewed a number of dashcams over the years from companies like Transcend and Papago. These little cameras used to be of quirky relevance in places like Russia, but now they’re a rather mainstream thing to put on your car.

These dashcams can not only provide video footage in the case of a collision, but the videos can be good for capturing all sorts of other things too. Like scenic drives through mountain passes and countrysides.

You see, but here’s where the curiosity kicks in. When you look at modern vehicles from manufacturers like Ford and Subaru, they’re oftentimes outfitted with all sorts of cameras and sensors. You’ve got your backup camera, but there are also forward-facing cameras and sensors for lane-keeping technology, adaptive cruise control, and all the rest of it. Why not grant consumers access to that video footage?

Well, Tesla is doing it. Version 9 of their software update will be pushed out in the next week or two, and it will effectively grant every Tesla owner with a “free” dashcam. That’s because your Tesla already has a camera. In fact, it has eight of them and these are used primarily for Autopilot.

With the update, you’ll be able to get at that dashcam video footage for posting on YouTube or for insurance claims. The caveat is that this functionality will only be in beta for version 9 before receiving further improvements in software version 9.1. Will you be able to switch between views on all eight cameras? Will it keep a log of all of them for later review? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.