Tesla to release Remote Sentry Mode Video Preview feature

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla will soon rollout a new Sentry Mode capability to enable remote recorded video clips preview directly on your mobile.

In April, Tesla listed two new Tesla app versions on the App Store including the 4.31.6 and the recent 4.32.0. The changelog mentions bug fixes and improvements.

Tesla App Updates (iOS) has brought key insights from these two new releases. The de-compilation of the app version shows a remote sentry mode clip preview feature.

A string (app code) description notes “When Sentry Mode records and sends you a preview of an event, those preview videos will appear here.”

Tesla cars are equipped with cameras and sensors to record suspicious activity around the vehicle when the vehicle. It works like a security system and keeps a watch on the surroundings in your absence.

In case of any threats, Sentry Mode pulses the headlights and triggers the alarm. It displays a message on the touchscreen for the person outside that the camera is recording the entire activity.

Sentry Mode is off by default and could be enabled via voice command or the Tesla mobile app. The feature requires a USB drive to save recorded video. However, it would still trigger an alarm and inform the owner if there’s no USB installed.

The latest Tesla app code reveals that the Sentry Mode remote video preview feature uses end-to-end encryption. A security level that will block others from accessing the footage.

Battery Consumption Issue:

Despite its immense advantages to secure the vehicle, Sentry Mode eats a lot of battery. People reported online about this issue while using the capability in their Teslas.

Official notes show it requires at least 20 percent of battery level. The function will automatically disable once the battery declines below the required level. This shows that the power supply is key to running cameras and sensors.

The battery issue has already caught the attention of the EV company and it plans to release a fix in the second quarter of this year. Drew Baglino, Tesla’s former Super Vice President of Powertrain and Energy confirmed this improvement update in February.