Tesla has officially commenced the rollout of Grok, the artificial intelligence assistant developed by Elon Musk's xAI, into its vehicles, with initial availability beginning July 12, 2025. This integration aims to enhance the in-car experience by providing a conversational AI companion. John Shahidi, a notable figure, lauded the new feature, stating in a recent tweet, > "The Grok integration in Tesla is the most impressive AI hardware integration I’ve seen. It’s flawless."
Currently in its Beta phase, Grok functions as an interactive chat-style assistant, allowing drivers to ask questions, request news summaries, or engage in general conversation. Tesla has clarified that Grok does not issue commands for vehicle control, such as navigation or climate settings, with existing voice commands remaining unchanged. This separation ensures safety and reliability, focusing Grok's role on companionship rather than operational control.
The Grok AI feature is being deployed to eligible Tesla vehicles, specifically those equipped with an AMD infotainment processor, which includes models manufactured from mid-2021 onwards. Vehicles must also be running software version 2025.26 or higher. While all new Teslas delivered after July 12, 2025, will include Grok out of the box, owners of older compatible vehicles can access it via an over-the-air update. Access requires Premium Connectivity or a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Drivers can activate Grok through the App Launcher on their vehicle's touchscreen or by pressing and holding the steering wheel's voice button. Grok, specifically Grok 4, offers various personality settings, from "Storyteller" to "Unhinged," allowing for a customized conversational experience. Tesla emphasizes privacy, stating that interactions with Grok are securely processed by xAI, with conversations remaining anonymous to Tesla and not linked to the user's vehicle data.
This integration represents a significant step in blending advanced AI with electric vehicle infotainment systems, aligning with Elon Musk's broader vision for AI in his ventures. While current functionalities are focused on conversational interaction, future developments could potentially see tighter integration with Full Self-Driving (FSD) features and SmartCabin systems, as well as expanded language support. The move is poised to redefine the in-car technological landscape.