NHTSA granted the Model X an exemption from typical anti-theft device standards earlier this week, it goes on to describe the Model X (and therefore Model S?) anti-theft system. And confirms at the very least the MX will have door handles.
Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)
Here's part of it:
Under 49 CFR Part 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to
grant an exemption for one vehicle line per model year. In its
petition, Tesla provided a detailed description and diagram of the
identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft
device for the Model X vehicle line. Tesla proposes to install a
passive, transponder-based, electronic engine immobilizer device as
standard equipment on its Model X vehicle line beginning with its MY
2014 vehicles. Key components of the antitheft device include an engine
immobilizer, central body controller, security controller, gateway
function, drive inverters and a passive entry transponder (PET). Tesla
also stated that the new design of its immobilizer device will have
enhanced security communication between its components, prevent
tampering and provide additional features to enhance its overall
effectiveness.
Tesla further stated that in addition to its immobilizer device, it
will incorporate an audible alarm (horn) as standard equipment, but
will not include a visual feature with the alarm system. Tesla stated
that forced entry into the vehicle or any type of entry without the
correct PET will trigger the audible alarm. Tesla further stated that
in addition to an access through the doors, the alarm will also trigger
when a break-in is attempted to either the front or rear cargo areas.
Tesla further explained that its antitheft device will have a two-step
activation process with a vehicle code query conducted at each stage.
The first stage allows access to the vehicle when an authorization
cycle occurs between the PET and the Security Controller, as long as
the PET is in close proximity to the car and the driver either pushes
the lock/unlock button on the key fob, pushes the exterior door handle
to activate the handle sensors or inserts a hand into the handle to
trigger the latch release. During the second stage, vehicle operation
will be enabled when the driver has depressed the brake pedal and moves
the gear selection stalk to drive or reverse. When one of these actions
is performed, the security controller will poll to verify if the
appropriate PET is inside the vehicle. Upon location of the PET, the
security controller will run an authentication cycle with the key
confirming the correct PET is being used inside the vehicle. Tesla
stated that once authentication is successful, the security controller
initiates a coded message through the gateway. If the code exchange
matches the code stored in the drive inverters, the exchange will
authorize the drive inverter to deactivate immobilization allowing the
vehicle to be driven under its own power. Tesla stated that the
immobilizer functions to ensure maximum theft protection when the
immobilizer is active, the vehicle is off and the doors are locked.
Tesla stated that it will incorporate an additional security measure
that performs when the car is unlocked and immobilization is
deactivated. Specifically, immobilization will reactivate when there
are no user inputs to the vehicle within a programmed period of time.
Tesla stated that any attempt to operate the vehicle without performing
and completing each task, will render the vehicle inoperable.
Tesla's submission is considered a complete petition as required by
49 CFR 543.7 in that it meets the general requirements contained in
543.5 and the specific content requirements of 543.6. In addressing the
specific content requirements of 543.6, Tesla provided information on
the reliability and durability of its proposed device. Tesla stated
that the antitheft device will be upgraded with a more robust design
than the antitheft device already installed as standard equipment on
its Model S vehicle line. To ensure reliability and durability of the
device, Tesla conducted tests based on its own specified standards.
Tesla provided a detailed list of the tests conducted and stated that
it believes that its device is reliable and durable because it complied
with its design standards. Additionally, Tesla stated that it has also
incorporated other measures of ensuring reliability and durability of
the device to protect the immobilizer device from exposure to the
elements and limits its access by unauthorized personnel. Additionally,
Tesla stated that the immobilizer relies
on electronic functions and not mechanical functions, and therefore
expects the components to last at least the life of the vehicle or
longer.
Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)
Here's part of it:
Under 49 CFR Part 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to
grant an exemption for one vehicle line per model year. In its
petition, Tesla provided a detailed description and diagram of the
identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft
device for the Model X vehicle line. Tesla proposes to install a
passive, transponder-based, electronic engine immobilizer device as
standard equipment on its Model X vehicle line beginning with its MY
2014 vehicles. Key components of the antitheft device include an engine
immobilizer, central body controller, security controller, gateway
function, drive inverters and a passive entry transponder (PET). Tesla
also stated that the new design of its immobilizer device will have
enhanced security communication between its components, prevent
tampering and provide additional features to enhance its overall
effectiveness.
Tesla further stated that in addition to its immobilizer device, it
will incorporate an audible alarm (horn) as standard equipment, but
will not include a visual feature with the alarm system. Tesla stated
that forced entry into the vehicle or any type of entry without the
correct PET will trigger the audible alarm. Tesla further stated that
in addition to an access through the doors, the alarm will also trigger
when a break-in is attempted to either the front or rear cargo areas.
Tesla further explained that its antitheft device will have a two-step
activation process with a vehicle code query conducted at each stage.
The first stage allows access to the vehicle when an authorization
cycle occurs between the PET and the Security Controller, as long as
the PET is in close proximity to the car and the driver either pushes
the lock/unlock button on the key fob, pushes the exterior door handle
to activate the handle sensors or inserts a hand into the handle to
trigger the latch release. During the second stage, vehicle operation
will be enabled when the driver has depressed the brake pedal and moves
the gear selection stalk to drive or reverse. When one of these actions
is performed, the security controller will poll to verify if the
appropriate PET is inside the vehicle. Upon location of the PET, the
security controller will run an authentication cycle with the key
confirming the correct PET is being used inside the vehicle. Tesla
stated that once authentication is successful, the security controller
initiates a coded message through the gateway. If the code exchange
matches the code stored in the drive inverters, the exchange will
authorize the drive inverter to deactivate immobilization allowing the
vehicle to be driven under its own power. Tesla stated that the
immobilizer functions to ensure maximum theft protection when the
immobilizer is active, the vehicle is off and the doors are locked.
Tesla stated that it will incorporate an additional security measure
that performs when the car is unlocked and immobilization is
deactivated. Specifically, immobilization will reactivate when there
are no user inputs to the vehicle within a programmed period of time.
Tesla stated that any attempt to operate the vehicle without performing
and completing each task, will render the vehicle inoperable.
Tesla's submission is considered a complete petition as required by
49 CFR 543.7 in that it meets the general requirements contained in
543.5 and the specific content requirements of 543.6. In addressing the
specific content requirements of 543.6, Tesla provided information on
the reliability and durability of its proposed device. Tesla stated
that the antitheft device will be upgraded with a more robust design
than the antitheft device already installed as standard equipment on
its Model S vehicle line. To ensure reliability and durability of the
device, Tesla conducted tests based on its own specified standards.
Tesla provided a detailed list of the tests conducted and stated that
it believes that its device is reliable and durable because it complied
with its design standards. Additionally, Tesla stated that it has also
incorporated other measures of ensuring reliability and durability of
the device to protect the immobilizer device from exposure to the
elements and limits its access by unauthorized personnel. Additionally,
Tesla stated that the immobilizer relies
on electronic functions and not mechanical functions, and therefore
expects the components to last at least the life of the vehicle or
longer.
