Higher-res images of the latest mule shoot:
Picture 1 - Spied: 2016 Tesla Model X
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That definitely looks like a camera lens on the front bumber fog light...
http://www.leftlanenews.com/photos/tesla-model-x-picture-1-1.html
Inconclusive about a rear-light side camera though...
Agree about the camera. First thing from these mules that I now actually have some faith in seeing on the final car.
I think we can pretty safely call the presence of at least one front camera a real possibility on this car. Whether or not they would appear on the final model, well, I would say judging by their apparent state of finish and the fact that competition has these cameras, it seems likely. Anything beyond that, what they actually do, is mere speculation at this point.
But to speculate for a moment, judging from what the competition does, the front camera(s) could be part of a 360 degree birds-eye parking camera system and/or they could allow a separate front corner view for maneuvering in tight spaces. Both have been done e.g. in BMW:
See how that yellow line shows how the front bumper corner camera views in the BMW are oriented compared to the car:
Logically, thinking about what is missing from the "D" compared to the competition, it is the all-around cameras and night vision cameras. Seeing some of these appear on the Model X would seem pretty likely and allow Tesla new software opportunities either immediately or down the road.
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Just a thought...if they have a camera at each fog-light location, technically you could take the image from both cameras and do a glasses-free, lenticular 3D image (for the driver-only). If you performed the same operation for two rear-cameras, then it would make reversing a lot easier because you could naturally tell how far away objects were.
Excuse me, while I go trademark that idea...
Fun thought. Why not. There are enough holes in the rear camo to allow stereo cameras on the rear as well, in theory (and I stress this - absolutely in theory). Why I don't quite believe in that, though, is because there also is a rear center camera. The presence of rear-light side cameras, though, maybe? Or maybe it is just a window for the blinkers.
Another very wild theory would be the transparent bonnet conceptualized by Land Rover (video and some talk in the other thread Theory: Model X has A pillars (see-through video)?) ). If the images from these corner cameras were overlaid on the windscreen, they could allow seeing "through" the front corners like the bonnet was transparent.
I have absolutely no faith of seeing this 3D/transparency stuff in Model X, but hey, this is the speculative part. Realistically, what I put in the beginning post is what I'd expect of the first iterations.
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