Tesla cars got Sentry Mode - a first look

Considering the repeating cases of Tesla break-ins in the US, the automaker launched the new security feature called Sentry Mode. It became available with the software update in the end of last week.

The Sentry Mode appears to have two stages of work. In case of a light threat - for instance, someone leaning on the car - the alert state is on and Tesla displays a message on the touchscreen, while the Autopilot cameras starts recording the environment around the car.

In case of more severe threats (e.g., someone breaking the window) the alarm state launches. In this case, Tesla turns on the car alarm, increases the brightness of the center display, and plays music at maximum volume from the car’s audio system (Bach's music being frequently used in horror movies). The car owner gets a notification via Tesla mobile app.

There also is an interesting Easter egg with the Sentry Mode. The image appearing on the central display is inspired by HAL 9000, a fictional AI character in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.