Tesla: New dashcam feature displays detailed telemetry data in video
With the "2025 Holiday Update", Tesla drivers gain access to telemetry data from their dashcam videos – an open-source tool makes it visible.
(Image: Hadrian/Shutterstock.com)
With the "2025 Holiday Update" (firmware version 2025.44.25), Tesla has introduced a feature that supplements dashcam recordings with detailed telemetry data. As the US automaker announced on GitHub, this data can be read and visualized with a new, web-based open-source tool. The telemetry data is embedded as SEI (Supplemental Enhancement Information) data directly into the H.264/H.265 video stream and is frame-synchronized with the footage, according to Tesla.
The new dashcam tool displays various vehicle data while playing the video: speed in meters per second, steering wheel angle, accelerator pedal position on a scale of 0 to 1, brake status, turn signal activity, and the current Autopilot status: OFF, AUTOSTEER (Autopilot), FSD (Full Self Driving), or TACC (Traffic Aware Cruise Control). Additionally, GPS coordinates with longitude, latitude, and direction, linear acceleration values on three axes, and frame sequence numbers, and SEI version information are included.
(Image:Â heise medien)
Local processing protects privacy
The dashcam viewer runs entirely locally in the browser and does not transmit any data to Tesla servers or third parties. Users can drag and drop MP4 files into the tool, which displays the video and telemetry data side by side.
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The telemetry data enables an analysis of driving situations, for example, in insurance cases or legal disputes, provided they are admitted as evidence. Unlike pure video recordings, they provide data on vehicle states at the time of an event – a kind of "black box" that was previously only available to Tesla engineers.
Hardware requirements and limitations
SEI data encoding requires at least Autopilot hardware HW3 or HW4, as only these versions have the necessary computing power for parallel video and telemetry data processing. Vehicles with Intel-based processors will only receive the update to a limited extent.
An important limitation: SEI data is only available for recordings made while driving. Sentry Mode recordings while parked do not contain telemetry data, as the vehicle shuts down sensors to save energy. For the advanced dashcam functions in the Tesla app, users also need Premium Connectivity and at least app version 4.51.5.
Further improvements in the Holiday Update
The "2025 Holiday Update" also enhances the dashcam display in the vehicle and in the Tesla app. Both now show telemetry data such as speed, steering wheel angle, and autopilot status during playback. A new grid view facilitates navigation through multiple camera perspectives, and new categories help sort recordings. Additionally, street names are now displayed.
In addition, Tesla introduced a Photobooth feature that allows users to take selfies in the car with filters and stickers. The recordings can be shared directly via the Tesla app. Another new feature: the storage space of the dashcam USB stick can now be displayed in the vehicle.
(mki)
