Upgrade to Unreal Engine may occur for Tesla Autopilot user interface, revamping its graphics and functionality.
Tesla Transitions to Unreal Engine for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Visualizations
Tesla is making a significant shift in its visualization technology, moving from the Godot engine to Epic Games' Unreal Engine for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) displays. This change, confirmed by code found in Tesla's 2025.20 firmware update for Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with AMD-based MCU 3 hardware, marks a step forward in delivering enhanced graphics and a more immersive driver experience.
The transition to Unreal Engine offers several advantages. With its world-class high-fidelity graphics, Unreal Engine is widely used for AAA video games, known for photorealistic rendering and complex environments. This means that Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD displays will gain greatly improved detail and realism compared to the lightweight, open-source Godot engine currently in use.
Moreover, the switch to Unreal Engine is expected to result in more immersive and informative driver visualization interfaces, making it easier for drivers to understand Autopilot and FSD behavior through richer, more polished graphics. This aligns with the wider automotive industry trend towards using advanced game engines for in-car displays.
Notable players like Rivian, Ford, GMC, Volvo, and Lotus already employ Unreal Engine for automotive graphics, positioning Tesla alongside established players using cutting-edge graphics technology. Furthermore, with Unreal Engine 6 expected in the coming years, Tesla might leverage continuous advancements in the engine’s capabilities to further evolve its in-car graphics system.
The new visualization is being implemented in stages, with the main screen being the first to adopt the change. If history is any indication, Tesla will likely continue refining and expanding the new UI to more vehicles over time. The upgrade to the new UI is in its early stages, and the shift to Unreal Engine could mark Tesla's biggest in-car UI leap in years.
However, the new visualization is currently only available for AMD-based Model S and Model X vehicles. The shift from Godot to Unreal Engine is not yet available for all Tesla models. Activating the new visualization on the instrument cluster has proven challenging, but preparations are being made.
The 2025.20 update also contains code for multiple personalities for Tesla's in-car Grok AI assistant, and references to a new six-seat Model Y variant. The Unreal Engine-powered visualization is already active on the main screen, providing greater interactivity and detail for the vehicle avatar. Additionally, the move to Unreal Engine could potentially include weather simulation in Autopilot displays, boosting driver confidence in Tesla's semi-autonomous systems.
This discovery was made by well-known Tesla firmware sleuth @greentheonly. The new visualization promises a significant improvement in Tesla's in-car UI, setting the stage for a more engaging and realistic driving experience.
Tesla's transition to Unreal Engine for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving visualizations aligns the automotive industry, where companies like Rivian, Ford, GMC, Volvo, and Lotus are already utilizing Unreal Engine for automotive graphics.
With Unreal Engine 6 on the horizon, Tesla might leverage ongoing advancements in the engine's capabilities, following the industry trend towards using game engines for in-car displays and technology.
