Tesla has introduced new features aimed at improving safety and functionality for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, particularly in robotaxi mode, including an active microphone-based siren detection system and a specialized windshield wiper cleaning routine to ensure unobstructed camera views.
In a video demonstration shared after the launch of Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, a driverless Model Y is seen autonomously pulling over for an approaching ambulance. The vehicle’s microphones detected the siren before the passengers did, enabling the car to yield and then resume its route.
“Sound detection also allows Robotaxi to automatically detect and appropriately react to the road environment (such as a nearby siren and yielding to approaching emergency vehicles),” Tesla stated. The company clarified that this data is processed locally on the vehicle and is not transmitted unless users explicitly opt in.
Additionally, Tesla has equipped the Model Y with a new windshield wiper routine specifically designed to clean the area in front of the FSD camera. This cleaning cycle makes a triple pass to remove dust or pollen that could hinder the camera’s vision—vital for driverless operation.
“It’s optimized for the camera view, not the passenger view,” explained Tesla’s Yun-Ta Tsai. “The windshield from the passenger side might look clean, but dust could accumulate over time. Thus, it’s proactively cleaning from time to time.”
While Tesla’s approach avoids reliance on roof-mounted LiDAR systems used by competitors like Waymo, it does require more frequent lens maintenance. Tesla did not confirm whether this wiper feature would be made available to regular FSD users outside the Robotaxi fleet.
Robotaxi special camera cleaning ability! pic.twitter.com/92FWDmQnqj
— Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) June 23, 2025
Robotaxi pulls over for an ambulance 🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/QFdLggMiUy
— Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) June 23, 2025