Theft, vandalism, or bumps and scrapes are all part of the inherent risks that come with using a car every day, but Tesla’s Sentry Mode aims to mitigate those risks with cameras that are always recording. When the mode is activated, the car constantly monitors its surroundings, and the system will send an alert to the driver if it detects anything suspicious. In addition, the car can flash its lights and warn pedestrians they’re being recorded through an external speaker.
This can be useful for a number of reasons. As well as acting as a deterrent for thieves or vandals, it’s also useful to prove who’s responsible for any minor damages — for example, if a shopping cart rolls into your car, or someone clips it while reversing out of a parking space. Footage captured by the car can be viewed live through the driver’s phone and saved, allowing it to be sent to an insurer to prove who’s at fault in case you need to make a claim.
