Tesla Launches Sentry Mode to Combat Vehicle Break-Ins and Theft
Tesla rolls out Sentry Mode, a new security feature that uses external cameras to monitor and respond to threats around unattended vehicles. The system alerts owners of incidents via mobile app and saves video footage to a USB drive.
Tesla introduces Sentry Mode, a new security feature designed to protect against break-ins and theft by continuously monitoring the environment around unattended vehicles. The system uses the car's external cameras to detect potential threats, functioning much like a traditional home alarm system but tailored for the road.
The feature operates through three distinct states based on the level of detected danger. A minimal threat, such as someone leaning on the car, triggers an "Alert" state that displays a warning message on the touchscreen, while a severe threat like a broken window triggers an "Alarm" state that blasts the car's audio system at maximum volume and flashes the center display.
When an alarm triggers, owners receive an immediate notification through the Tesla mobile app. To capture evidence, drivers must insert a formatted USB drive into their car, which records video starting ten minutes before a threat is detected, and the rollout begins today for U.S. Model 3 vehicles before expanding to newer Model S and Model X units.