Tesla’s new feature will keep pets safe and comfortable in the car while their owners run quick errands. Dubbed “Dog Mode,” the over-the-air update was announced on Twitter by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
As mentioned in the tweet, drivers will be able to set a cabin temperature, and the system will even let passersby know everything is fine.
“But how will the passersby know?” asked a person on Twitter. Musk responded with a zoomed-in video of the car’s center screen, which displays a message saying the owner will be back soon, as well as the car’s interior temperature.
The project was sparked from a Twitter interaction last year, where a user suggested the dog-friendly feature for the Tesla Model 3, while others chimed in with more suggestions that made it into the current design.
Tesla revealed more information in the Dog Mode release notes, seen below.
Keep your dog comfortable in your car while letting people passing by know they don’t need to worry with Dog Mode. In addition to keeping the climate control on, the touchscreen will display the current cabin temperature. To enable Dog Mode, tap the fan icon at the bottom of the touchscreen when your car is parked. Set Keep Climate On to DOG, make adjustments within temperature limits, then leave knowing your pet will stay comfortable. Dog Mode will stay on after you leave your car. If your battery reaches less than 20 percent charge, you will receive a notification on your mobile app.
Note: Check local laws for any restrictions on leaving pets unattended in your car.