A Unusual Phenomenon

A rather unusual phenomenon is drawing attention to Tesla vehicles in China. Some owners have reportedly found creative ways to bypass the systems that monitor driver attention when using assistance features. Among the most common solutions are small plastic doll heads strategically placed near the rearview mirror.

According to various reports, in recent months, a real market has emerged for devices designed to confuse Tesla's internal camera. These accessories, often inspired by famous characters, are placed so as to be visible to the monitoring system while simultaneously hiding the driver's actual face.

The popularity of these products has reportedly increased following the dissemination of demonstration videos on Chinese social networks. Many of the items for sale on e-commerce platforms have relatively modest prices and are advertised as tools capable of avoiding distraction alerts issued by the vehicle.

How Do Tesla's Monitoring Systems Work?

Tesla uses cameras aimed at the cabin to ensure that the driver remains attentive to the road while employing Autopilot and other assistance technologies. When the system detects that the gaze is directed elsewhere for an extended period, progressive alerts are issued, which can lead to the limitation of certain functionalities. After a software update that strengthened these controls in the Chinese market, some users began to seek alternative methods to bypass them.

Doll heads represent only one of the techniques used. Some drivers employ photographs placed in front of the camera, while others resort to lenticular images that simulate eye movement. There are also more sophisticated devices equipped with small screens that continuously reproduce a person's face while blinking and making natural movements.

The spread of these practices has sparked numerous criticisms. Security experts and social media users emphasize that systems like Autopilot still require the driver's constant supervision and are not designed to completely replace humans behind the wheel. Tesla has not yet issued any official statements on the matter.