Tesla: Interior Camera Intrusion Testing

Mechatronics Automation

  • Strengths demonstrated: Mechatronics Design, RaspberryPi, Code Compliance, Design of Experiment
  • Tools used: RaspberryPi, Linear Motors
  • Company Team: Tesla Autopilot and Electronics Product Design Team
  • Project date: 2019

What?
The interior camera across the vehicle suite has funcitonalities spanning driver-eye-monitoring, passenger detection, a selfie-mode feature and an intrusion detection feature which requires compliance with Euro NCAP requirements.

How?
Using my understanding of microcontrollers and motors, I was able to design, build and code a testing rig that operated with a RaspberryPi, a few linear bearings, a stepper motor and some 80-20 aluminum pieces.

Results
The apparatus allowed us to test, with consistency, the ability of our interior camera to detect intrusions as per Euro NCAP requirements, allowing us to market our vehicles with this compliance in the European markets.