In February of 2019, Tesla Sentry Mode was released for the Model 3 via a wireless software update. In the months since, the system has been directly responsible for capturing vital evidence leading to criminal convictions around the world.
The system is an expansion of the Tesla Model 3’s anti-theft protection. The company describes Sentry Mode as a three-stage monitoring, recording, and alert platform. It uses the car’s cameras, horn, and stereo system to record and warn anyone near to the vehicle who is likely to participate in a criminal act.
While those concerned with privacy have criticized Tesla’s ambitions with it’s expanded anti-theft system, the results are clear. In the months since its release, Tesla Sentry Mode has been directly responsible for securing evidence. The system’s videos have led to arrests and are increasingly being used as evidence in courts around the world.
Currently, Tesla Sentry Mode is available on the Model 3, Model X, and Model S.
How Does Tesla Sentry Mode Work?
Once Sentry Mode is enabled, the system goes into Standby mode, now the Tesla will simply lie in wait, listening and recording. Should the system record a bump or hear a loud noise, it launches into Alert mode.
In Alert mode, the Tesla’s central infotainment touch screen lights up and somewhat menacing red eyes appear. The screen displays the word, “Recording”.
Next, the car’s exterior lights begin to flash and a warning is sent to the driver via the Tesla App.
Should the Tesla be bumped with excessive force or a window be broken, the car will immediately activate Alarm mode. At this point, the car’s lights begin to flash intensely, it’s horn begins to blow, the infotainment panel brightens and music is played at maximum volume. All recordings and video collected are stored on a removable thumb drive.
Because Tesla Sentry Mode is powered by the car’s battery system, it can run for hours or even days at a time depending on how charged the car is.
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Real World Applications of Tesla Sentry Mode
Flesland in Bergen, Norway is a tiny village with only 335 inhabitants according to a 2008 Census Report. Nonetheless, it is still a place with Teslas driving around. And unfortunately, it would seem that not everyone in the surrounding community is happy about that.
Kees Ihlhaug is a Tesla Model 3 owner from Norway, whose vehicle recently captured footage of a saboteur attempting to remove the lug nuts from the rear wheels of his car. The incident occurred in a parking lot at Lilandsveien, a location close to the Bergen Airport in Flesland.
In a video Kees shared with a Norwegian Tesla Facebook Group called, Teslanytt, a masked man can clearly be seen messing with his car and attempting to remove his lug nuts. While the system was able to scare off the criminal as it launched into alert mode, unfortunately the damage was already done.
Kees ended up driving his Model 3 about 30 feet before he realized something was seriously wrong with the way his car was handling. When he checked his car’s tires out, he saw that all but one lug nut had been taken off each of his rear tires.
Had he driven even just a little bit further, it is very likely the wheels of his car would have fallen off completely leading to serious damage to his car and potential danger for anyone nearby.
A vigilant driver, Ihlhaug quickly notified a local tire company which was able to come and repair his Model 3 to ensure he was able to safely continue on his way. While some have speculated that the criminal responsible for this action may have been simply trying to steal Kees Ihlhaug’s aftermarket rims, others firmly doubt this claim.
Section leader Kristine Pettersen of the Bergen South Police District highlighted the immense danger the situation posed. “It is serious when someone messes with the wheels of a car. It is, of course, not safe to drive when four out of five nuts are off. The ‘damage potential is great if the driver had not been vigilant,” she said.
In Norway, many Tesla owners have experienced a harsh backlash as a result of driving their electric vehicles around cities and rural areas. In a Norway based EV focused Facebook Group, critics of electric vehicles recently called EV owners the “lowest ranking social parasites,” and “spammers who are sponsored by us who drive diesel cars.”
Check out the Tesla Sentry Mode footage captured in Fresland, Norway:
Tesla Sentry Mode Protects Your Investment
Tom Alfred is a Tesla Model X owner who has experienced a great deal of criticism for his decision to drive an EV.
“It has become more difficult to merge in traffic. I often lie behind other cars. And I have experienced traffic-dangerous situations I have never experienced before. It may be just be something I feel, since I know what kind of prejudice people have. Or it could be because I have a Tesla.”
He goes on to say,”I still hold a lower profile now than before. I’m trying to avoid talking about having a Tesla in social situations.”
Unfortunately Alfred is not alone. Around the world, many Tesla drivers have experienced negative reactions from individuals in their local community.
Recently, in Berkeley, California, police used footage captured with Sentry Mode to prosecute an individual who attempted to break-in to a Tesla.
Another Tesla owner, Rafael Santoni, who goes by the name “TesLatino” on YouTube, posted a video which led to the arrest of a woman who vandalized his car. The damage caused in this incident was estimated to cost $900 to repair. Without Sentry Mode, the criminal responsible might never have been brought to justice.
In Ann Harbor, Michigan, a Tesla owner recently captured footage of teenagers throwing eggs at his car while he was parked to charge it. Police are now trying to track them down.
Tesla Sentry Mode is an impressive step in automotive security which arrives at a time when EV drivers around the world are increasingly finding themselves targeted for their choice of vehicles.
Though it would be better to live in a world where a feature like Sentry Mode is not necessary, for now Tesla owners can rest a little bit easier knowing their investment comes with a layer of security unlike anything else in the automotive world.
Source: Teslarati