Tesla created the Sentry Mode to help protect its vehicles by monitoring its surroundings when it is unattended. While some privacy issues may arise when this feature records what’s happening nearby, there is no disputing that the Sentry Mode recently proved its worth when it help protect a Tesla Model 3 from a pair of vandals. Let's go to the videotape!
Added Layer Of Protection
Once enabled, Tesla’s Sentry Mode enters the so-called “Standby” state, during which it employs a vehicle’s external cameras to sense possible threats. If the Sentry Mode detects a minimal threat -- for instance, a person is leaning on your Model 3 – it would switch to the “Alert” state. Here, a message will appear on the touchscreen saying that the car’s cameras are recording.
But once the Sentry Mode detects a more severe threat – for example, when a person is trying to break into your Tesla – the “Alarm” state would be toggled, thereby activating the car alarm. It would also increase the brightness of the touchscreen and play music from the audio system at its noisiest level.
In addition, the Tesla mobile app will send an alert to the concerned owner about the incident. The owner can download a video recording of the incident by just inserting a formatted USB drive before enabling the Sentry Mode.
Lights, Camera, Action
The Sentry Mode showed what it can do when two miscreants tried to vandalized a Tesla Model 3 parked at the Park MGM resort in Las Vegas. As shown in a YouTube video uploaded by a Fernando C (owner of the Model 3), one of the vandals first tried to open the door. His bearded partner then attempted to pull the charging cable out, but failed. Undeterred and not content, however, he then kicked the charger port area.
The first vandal returned and kicked – if you can call that a kick -- the Model 3, thereby triggering the “Alarm” state. With the Model 3 now sending out loud noises, the mischievous duo had no choice but to flee from the scene. Final score: Sentry Mode 1, Vandals zero.
Instant YouTube Hit
While the petty duo got away from the crime scene, they are bound to be captured as the Sentry Mode clearly captured their sorry faces. In fact, netizens are now on the lookout for these two hooligans as the video is now posted on YouTube with already more than a million views. Lesson learned: Be good even when no one is looking around because the Sentry Mode is.
Source: Fernando C Via YouTube