- tesla's sentry mode launched in 2019, using the vehicle's numerous cameras to watch and protect it from potential threats.
- there are some privacy issues with a car recording the world around it, but here's a prospective advantage: the video recording feature could help nab criminals.
- that's what happened in the video above, when a pair of vandals tried to get into a model 3 in las vegas but were foiled because of sentry mode.
it's hard to argue with those who hope there's a special hell for the kind of people who break into and vandalize cars. two such individuals were recently captured on video by a sentry mode–enabled tesla model 3 parked in las vegas. once the car's alarm went off, they got in their own vehicle and left, but not before becoming unwitting stars in the tesla community.
for reasons unknown, one of the vehicle assailants first tried to open the car's door. when nothing came of that, his bearded friend entered the picture and attempted to pull the charging cable out. after a few moments of that, he then decided to kick the charger port area, apparently hoping to dislodge the handle. then the first guy ran back to the car and gave it the saddest kick ever captured on video as the car's security system went off.
they probably expected to elicit some sort of blaring-alarm scenario. what they might not have anticipated is being captured on some rather high-quality video that the owner of the vehicle shared with the security of the park mgm resort in las vegas. the video also made its way to youtube, where the community has been heckling the would-be vandals.
after kicking the car, the vehicle entered the alarm state. at that point the vehicle's alarm goes off, the center display turns itself up to 100 percent brightness, and the tesla begins playing music at full volume. the car also captures video from 10 minutes before the incident that can be shared with authorities. it also alerts the owner via the companion app.
sentry mode also has an alert state that is triggered when someone or something bumps or leans on the vehicle. in that state, the vehicle begins recording video, and the center display warns that the car is recording video. this mode could be particularly troubling, privacy-wise. if you happen to bump a tesla while getting into your car or while out on a walk, it's unlikely that you are aware that you are being recorded. a warning on the screen is fine to ward off potential break-ins, but the average person isn't likely to see the display while going about their business under the watchful eye of a tesla.
in this instance, though, the recording could potentially land two idiots in hot water with the authorities. for that alone, sentry mode sets a new bar for car security.