Tesla activates facial recognition cameras in its cars for safety

Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained the reason for the Model 3's mysterious cockpit camera. Tesla has activated a facial recognition technology in its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to ensure that the driver is in the seat and watching the road when using the cars' advanced driver assist systems. The two vehicles have always been produced with the cameras near the rearview mirrors, which Elon Musk initially said would be used to monitor for vandalism when their promised fully autonomous driving capability is launched and they are deployed as ride-hailing vehicles. Tesla had been criticized for not using the technology after several reports of drivers riding in the front passenger and rear seats of the vehicles with no one behind the wheel surfaced. Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features also require the driver to keep a hand on the wheel, but this method is easily spoofed by attaching a weight to it.