Tesla to remove ultrasonic sensors, despite camera-only tech lacking key features

Tesla will soon delete ultrasonic sensors across its electric vehicle line-up as it shifts to camera-only technology – despite key parking assist features being unavailable.

Following the previous removal of radar equipment in early 2021, the brand's camera system – known as Tesla Vision – will now perform all driver-assistance technology.

Tesla will phase out ultrasonic sensors from the Model 3 and Model Y globally, starting in October, followed by the Model S and Model X in 2023.

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However, some parking-related features will not be available until a future software update arrives in the coming months.

Drive reports that this includes park assist, autopark, summon, and smart summon.

“In the near future, once these features achieve performance parity to today’s vehicles, they will be restored via a series of over-the-air software updates,” said Tesla.

“All other available Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capability features will be active at delivery, depending on order configuration.”

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Other active safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and blind-spot alert, are unaffected by the change.

Currently, Tesla vehicles are fitted with 12 ultrasonic sensors positioned on the front and rear bumpers.

Tesla says the change won’t affect crash safety results, with the Model Y recently scoring a five-star ANCAP rating.

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Tesla has yet to provide a timeline for the production date and local timing of vehicles without ultrasonic sensors.

It isn’t the first time Tesla has temporarily limited features in the shift to camera-only technology.

The brand’s Autopilot semi-autonomous cruise control system was limited to 121km/h until earlier this year for vehicles produced from May 2021, which exclude a radar.

The radar was removed from the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y for Australia in June 2022.