Tesla may switch graphics on AMD-powered Model S and X.
Update could add interactive, game-like 3D car renderings.
Rivian, Ford, Volvo, Lotus, and GMC already use Unreal Engine.
Tesla owners are about to get a big upgrade in their cabins. A hacker says that the automaker is about to switch from one set of visuals to another. The new set of graphics could be akin to some of the most impressive video games on the market today. Notably, it would also mean that Tesla is following the lead of brands like Rivian, Volvo, and Ford.
Unreal Engine is a 3D creation tool built by Epic Games, and as the name suggests, it’s largely used in video game development. In recent years, it’s become more of a mainstay in other areas of the world, and if a new report is correct, soon it’ll also be in Teslas. Long-time hacker GreenTheOnly revealed updates to code that indicate Unreal Engine graphics are coming soon to Model S and Model X.
“Tesla is adding Unreal Engine-based AP viz (the one you see today is Godot-based). The binaries are already shipping, starting from firmware 2025.20 only on AMD-based S and X cars for now,” he said in a post on X. After a bit of work, he managed to get the system working on the main infotainment screen.
It appears as though users will have the freedom to interact with the car graphic, spin it around, and open and close certain bits. We fully expect these same graphics to end up in the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) displays as well. One fan created what they expect it to look like, and you can see it below.
Cannot wait for tesla FSD Unreal Engine visual updates. Ray tracing on hw4 is gonna be bomb. pic.twitter.com/CD89WSCS7h
Interestingly, Tesla isn’t leading the way or breaking new ground here. Rivian, Ford, Lotus, Volvo, and GMC all use Unreal Engine already, says The Verge. In fact, many will remember that GMC highlighted the technology during the launch of the Hummer EV. It’s a main part of how the large pickup displays mode changes, status updates, and other general information. Considering how good the display looks, it will probably be a welcome addition for Tesla users in the near future.
Ok, I am having a bit of trouble getting unreal engine to activate on the cluster, but it looks like on the main screen the car avatar is also controlled by it. Now you can interact with it and it's getting somewhat more detailed. See the example: pic.twitter.com/6lpXr6BK0K
The building that houses video game company Raven Software is shown in Middleton, Wis. A group of quality assurance testers at the company have ratified their first union contract — more than three years after launching the first union at a major U.S. gaming studio. (Photo by M.P. King/Wisconsin State Journal)
Video game testers at Middleton-based Raven Software have ratified their first union contract, more than three years after making local and national headlines by launching the first union at a major U.S. studio.
Ratified on Aug. 4, the contract gives employees a 10% raise while limiting mandatory overtime and preserving remote work options.
The deal is the latest development in a saga involving some of the video game industry’s lowest-paid workers. It comes after Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard, Raven Software’s parent company, leaving the roughly two dozen testers to negotiate with one of the world’s largest tech companies.
“I think we pretty much got everything we aimed for,” said Erin Hall, a seven-year veteran at Raven and one of two workers who negotiated the contract. As a quality assurance tester, she checks for bugs in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and works with developers to fix them.
Studios nationwide employ testers to play new video games and identify problems before release.
Raven’s testers make around $21 an hour, and they’re frequently required to work overtime in weeks-long “crunch time” stretches ahead of a game’s release. The volatile nature of their industry prompted the workers to organize.
The testers walked off the job to protest layoffs of a dozen colleagues in December 2021. They announced the formation of a union the next month — the first at a AAA studio that makes high-budget games. The Game Workers Alliance represents the workers, organized with support from Communications Workers of America.
Lessons from three years of negotiating
For Hall and fellow bargaining committee member Autumn Prazuch, contract negotiations required intensive lessons on bargaining and labor laws. Neither had joined a union before launching their own.
“We had no idea it would be this difficult, or that it would take three-and-a-half years, or that it’d be this stressful, that we would be giving up so many nights and weekends,” Hall said. “We felt like it was the right thing to do, and we did it, and we learned as we went.”
The process took about twice as long as a norm that has grown longer in recent years. Newly unionized workers between 2020 to 2023 spent an average of 17 months negotiating their first contract, according to a Bloomberg Law analysis.
The contract negotiations overlapped with a change of ownership: Microsoft’s $69 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard. In 2022, while waiting for regulators to approve the deal, Microsoft committed to remaining neutral on the workers’ unionization efforts.
Prazuch said negotiating with leaders at Activision and Microsoft made her feel like “a little fish in a big pond.”
“You’re sitting across from tech billionaires, and this is a huge company … and we’re 19 people at Raven QA in Middleton, Wisconsin,” she said.
But in that process, Prazuch discovered strengths she didn’t know she had.
“I’ve learned that I have more determination than I initially thought, that my voice is louder than I thought it was,” Prazuch said.
She also learned that the same focus that helps her identify glitches in games allowed her to flag subtle wording changes that would shift the terms of the deal.
The deal they reached limits mandatory overtime to half the weeks in a quarter, and it gives testers the flexibility to choose their schedules when working overtime. Workers who currently work remotely can continue to do so under a contract that also promises 10% raises over the two-year contract period, with potential for additional raises.
Hall said she’d encourage other workers to start unions — if they’re in it for the long haul.
“I would not want to take it back for anything, but it was really hard work,” Hall said. “If people want to unionize at their workplace, just know it’s going to be really difficult, and you have to be committed to seeing it through to the end.”
More video game workers are unionizing
While Microsoft’s promise to not oppose employees’ union efforts contrasts with many other major companies, the process has still had moments of controversy. Communications Workers of America, for instance, criticized Microsoft this summer when it announced plans to lay off around 9,000 workers across the company. That included its gaming division, where it halted production of several games.
Raven’s quality assurance team escaped those layoffs, along with a previous round, Hall said. Having a contract doesn’t guarantee the testers won’t be laid off, but it requires the company to offer notice and bargain over severance and benefits.
Keith Fuller, a former Raven Software employee who is now a Madison-based workplace culture consultant, called collective bargaining “one of the few levers that game developers have” as video game companies tighten their belts and as the Trump administration redefines workers’ rights.
“The power imbalance that’s inherent in capitalism shows up very easily in game development,” Fuller said. “I think that this is something that will benefit workers across the industry.”
In the years since Raven workers unionized, workers at some other major studios have followed their lead. Communications Workers of America says it now represents 2,000 video game workers at Microsoft.
“When we started [our union campaign], we were kind of ambitiously hoping that there’d be anyone that would do this too, and now there’s so many,” Hall said.
The school bus is evolving. With the integration of AI, data analytics and adaptive learning technologies, school buses are no longer vehicles for student transport alone they’re becoming smart and connected learning environments.
By reimagining school transportation operations, school districts can enhance safety, drive operational efficiency and engage their communities in new and meaningful ways.
Imagine a school bus that adapts to traffic in real time, monitors student behavior for safety, connects students to personalized learning content via Wi-Fi and provides
predictive insights to transportation directors and their teams. This is no longer science fiction it’s the new direction school transportation is headed, powered by AI.
Today’s cutting-edge tools are creating a more intelligent, impactful ride. AI-enabled routing software analyzes traffic, weather, construction and student addresses to create the most time and fuel efficient routes. The integration of onboard tablets allows for turn-by-turn directions and student manifests. These systems adapt in real time, helping buses avoid delays and improve on-time performance, while also helping to cut fuel use, reduce emissions and improve operational costs.
Onboard video systems on school buses aren’t new, but the use of AI software is. Most video systems offer software to help enhance detection of unsafe behavior like bullying or fights. Real-time alerts allow quick intervention to potentially prevent a situation from escalating. Looking at specific areas of interest on the school bus is a real need, and this can be done with enhanced software tools. Hours of recorded video footage and making time to review it effectively is an overwhelming task. But AI software could help tackle this challenge sooner than you realize.
Student tracking and parent communication is mission critical in a modern school transportation system. Parents and school officials are notified instantly when a student boards or exits the bus, bolstering both accountability and peace of mind.
Personalized onboard learning is more important than ever thanks to Wi-Fi. School districts can offer a variety of online learning platforms on mobile devices during school bus commute, turning down time into a valuable part of the learning day. Keep in mind the E-Rate funding for this technology is still available. I’d recommend taking action today to secure it. We don’t know what the future holds for the federal program.
Other connected technology solutions include predictive maintenance and vehicle health paired with AI. This technology can forecast mechanical issues before they become costly failures. Fleet managers receive alerts about maintenance needs, from brake wear to battery life, allowing for proactive servicing. Solution benefits included reduced breakdowns, extended vehicle lifespan and lower overall maintenance costs.
AI-assisted advanced driver systems (ADAS) is the future already realized. ADAS alerts drivers about lane departures, hard braking or following distances, helping reduce crashes. Additionally, AI-generated reports help with training and performance reviews. Fewer crashes mean fewer insurance claims. The other outcomes could be improved driver retention, safer driving habits and reduced stress.
Fleets should consider utilizing more data-driven decision making in their operations. AI platforms collect and analyze transportation data to identify trends, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Dashboards visualize everything from ridership to route efficiency to behavior incidents, helping administrators make informed decisions. Improved operations, better budgeting and resource allocation allow for stronger alignment with academic goals.
By leveraging AI and emerging technologies, school districts are turning the daily commute into a strategic asset.
As technology adoption increases, data security is also vital. IT departments are now highly involved with technology purchasing for school transportation. As a result, IT professionals are requesting secured storage and enterprise level software solutions due to the increased issue of school data breaches. These types of solutions are significantly more expensive than the traditional lower budget solutions we are accustomed to.
The road to and from school can be a dynamic, data-rich, student-focused part of the educational journey. This transformation goes beyond efficiency it enhances student safety, supports learning and empowers transportation teams with the tools they need to succeed. This is a future to get excited about!
Editor’s Note: Reprinted from the July 2025 issue of School Transportation News.
RENO, Nev. — Transfinder took home best hardware, software and safety technology awards for the second consecutive year and RIDE won best green technology for the third year in a row, as judged by STN EXPO West attendees during the trade show held July 14 and 15.
The 153 attendees who cast votes in the fourth annual STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards represented a rise in participation from last year’s 125 votes. Exhibitor and guest votes were not counted. Eligible voters represented school districts, state or federal organizations, Head Start agencies, and school bus contractors.
To be eligible for an entry, participating trade show vendors had to introduce a new, market-ready product between January 2024 and July 2025. STN EXPO attendees voted by scanning a QR code at participating company booths.
The Schenectady, New York, company received 114 votes for Best Safety Technology, 123 votes for Best Hardware and 121 votes for Best Software. It was the fourth year in a row that Transfinder won the Best Software category, the third consecutive year winning Best Hardware, and the second year it took all three categories.
The Transfinder team at STN EXPO 2025.
Transfinder entered the three products in all three categories.
Stopfinder Digital Card ID turns a student’s Android or IOS cellphone into their ID card. “This advancement eliminates the need for substituting RFID cards and/or replacing lost costs. This technology augments Transfinder’s parent app Stopfinder, providing parents peace of mind that their child made the bus and tracking the bus’s location,” Transfinder stated in its nomination.
Meanwhile, Transfinder Enterprise includes everything from route visibility to attendance routing, posts to student lookup. Transfinder’s Wayfinder ETA dashboard and real-time capability can now be shared with school building personnel and other stakeholders in Viewfinder. This capability enhances communication. Additionally, using the driver app, Wayfinder, the most efficient route based on student riders can be generated.
“For example, a late bus can have different students riding different days depending on the activities they participate in,” Transfinder stated. “When students scan their ID cards as they get on the late bus, for example, the safest and most efficient route is created for the driver.”
Users can post on any record type, such as student, trip or vehicle to facilitate a conversation around that record. The information is then accessible across all Transfinder solutions.
Transfinder said its map incidents solution tackles a growing concern of students crossing by adding a functionality in Routefinder PLUS to “view where students not just cross the street to get on the bus but what streets they cross on their way to the bus. With PLUS, users can embed trip and street data and logic into their maps and trips, making it easier for routers to design safer trips.”
Transfinder noted, adding the data is then viewed on Wayfinder.
Meanwhile, BYD electric school bus spinoff RIDE was unopposed last month in the green technology category. The manufacturer was attendees’ choice for the third consecutive year, this time for its blade battery (below). The manufacturer won the same category last year for its Type C “Creator” and in 2023 for its Type A “Achiever.” The lithium iron phosphate blade battery features a direct cell-to-pack design, utilizing thin “blade-like” cells that eliminate the need for conventional modules.
BYD says its Blade LFP battery in RIDE electric school buses virtually eliminates thermal events, as it passed nail penetration tests, was crushed and bent, and survived being heated in a furnace to 300°C and overcharged by 260 percent.
RENO, Nev. — In a four-hour seminar on routing, consultant Kerry Somerville spoke to attendees at STN EXPO West about everything from implementing routing software and the RFP process to training and using the software.
Whether attendees came to the class Friday to become up to date on the offerings after retirement, or because they were a school bus driver being told to route themselves, or even due to being the director of safety and wanting to see the benefits of routing, all left with a deeper understanding of route specifics.
“I’m not here to talk bad about [any company], but I want you guys to be aware, to ask questions about what you’re buying and how you’re implementing it,” said Somerville owner of Transportation Planning Solutions as well as a transportation supervisor for Show Low Unified School District in Arizona.
Somerville explained that the RFP is the district’s opportunity to specify exactly what they want and need from software. “Designate who’s going to run the software,” he shared, adding that there needs to be a backup in case that person is unavailable.
He noted that when creating the RFP, one needs to be realistic and not ask for things that aren’t possible. Similarly, he noted it’s important to be prepared to pay for solutions that meet the requirements being asked for. He also advised not asking for good references, which any company can provide. Instead, he suggested asking about failed implementations and why they occurred.
Somerville noted that a phased implementation is a better approach, rather than implementing technology all at once. And while some districts have the expectations that the lowest bid must be accepted, that may mean they don’t get the features or functions they want or need.
One attendee shared his operation is in search of its third routing software.
When discussing what is wanted versus what is needed, Somerville noted that the bandwidth of people and the size of operation play important roles. Ask yourself, what is your end goal, he noted, adding that sometimes it’s not necessarily about implementing a new product but training on a current one.
Once new routing software is implemented, the next stage is training. He noted that five days of intense training may seem like it’s the best approach, but when it gets to day five, employees might have forgotten what you learned on day one. Instead, he advised districts engage in continuous ongoing training, citing the importance of creating a training plan.
He also said training is both the vendor and district responsibility and should include routes. If a district is implementing remote training, he said it’s important to determine if it will really work for the team.
Other aspects of implementation include student data and working with one’s IT department to make sure the nightly download is accurate. He also advised working with the district’s management team to ensure that student data is accurate and highlighted the importance of how good address data is critical.
Plus, he asked, how does your software handle changes such as adding students and routes, changing bus stop locations and deleting information? “There is no such thing as a perfect map,” he said.
He outlined pros and cons to the various type of maps available.
Maps change, Somerville explained, and there needs to be away to update them. Plus, he added that data affects the quality of routes. For instance, a left turn may have a greater penalty than a right turn, adding that UPS trucks in the U.S. are programmed to minimize or avoid left turns due to safety and efficiency benefits. On the other hand, being able to adjust speed data via software can make a significant difference in the accuracy of your runs. Other data that affect routing include attendance boundaries, hazards and walk zones.
Somerville said optimization should be used as a tool, not a solution. He said every year there’s a big story about a school district being promised to save millions of dollars with optimization and then it failed day one of school start up. He said all data elements affect optimization. He advised testing the runs — everything from timing, routing, time spent at each stop, and speed — the software products prior to the first day of school.
Overall, when using software, he advised using it every day as practice makes perfect. He said he finds that most school districts only use about one-tenth of the function that the software can do. “Keep the data fresh,” he said, adding to avoid the “this doesn’t work trap.”
This, he said, is why it’s important to get what you want in the RFP process.
He concluded by urging the audience to not give up. “Learning new software, new ways of doing things can be a challenge, difficult and frustrating but the reward is at the end when you can provide the answers people need quickly and easily,” he said.
A Tesla owner decided to play a prank on fellow owners by posting a fake birthday email.
In it, “Tesla” says it’ll give the owner an extra horsepower boost for thirty days.
Those in the comment section unleashed their frustration with features hidden behind paywalls.
Tesla fans get really excited when new features, trials, or beta programs arrive. That’s probably why very few people realized that a post on Reddit was just a prank by an overeager owner. They reported a birthday reward email supposedly from Tesla offering a 30-day horsepower boost. It turns out that before realizing it was a hoax, many took the chance to bash the US EV maker and other brands for paywall-blocked features.
Posted on Reddit’s Tesla Model 3 forum, the main feature was an image. It appeared to be an email directly from Tesla. “Happy Birthday! We are delighted to offer you an exclusive birthday gift: +50 Extra Horsepower,” it said. “Your Tesla has been upgraded with an additional 50 horsepower, effective for the next 30 days.”
A Convincing Fake
At first glance, it looks legitimate. The script looks realistic, the grammar is fine, and it appears to come from no-reply@Tesla.com. That was more than enough to fool several people. The top comments are full of people assuming it’s real. Some ask about future programs based on the idea, others joke about changing their birthday in the Tesla app, and others comment on their excitement about it.
At the same time, it left some fans feeling disillusioned and annoyed. Several made comments to that effect. “…is it just me that thinks that’s absolutely ridiculous? If I have the hardware, why would I pay to use the hardware? That’s like buying a computer with 16gb of ram, only having 12, and then getting an email “unlocking” the other 4gb for 30 days.
“Just… stupid. Either sell me the car without the extra horsepower (so, without the hardware that makes it possible)… or let me use all the horsepower it can produce. This is just… awful,” said one. After another commented on how cool it was that you could download extra horsepower, another responded, “You mean mildly infuriated it’s locked behind a paywall.”
A Familiar Practice
Of course, in this case, the birthday gift wasn’t real, but it’s not as if Tesla doesn’t offer similar products. As of this writing, buyers can unlock features that the hardware they own is already capable of, like additional range or speed.
Notably, Tesla is far from the only brand to offer this sort of thing. Several brands offer similar ‘subscription services’, from extra power to adaptive suspension. Unless buyers unite to condemn this type of practice, it’ll probably never end.
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