Tesla's Grok: A New Era of In-Vehicle AI Personalities

In a bold move that sets it apart from other automakers, Tesla is not merely adding basic AI assistants to its vehicles; rather, it is collaborating with xAI to develop a comprehensive suite of AI personalities for its innovative Grok feature. As revealed by Tesla hacker @greentheonly, the latest analysis of Tesla’s firmware has uncovered intriguing new details about Grok, which is poised to redefine how drivers interact with their vehicles.
This revelation is part of a broader examination of the changes embedded in Tesla's firmware update 2025.20. The update not only introduces several new Grok personalities but also hints at the hardware requirements needed for this advanced feature.
A Cast of Characters: Meet Grok
The Grok feature will include a variety of personalities designed to enhance user experience, making interactions with the vehicle feel more personal and engaging. The newly added character, Language Tutor, aims to help users learn and practice new languages, showcasing Tesla's commitment to making infotainment both enjoyable and educational.
The full list of Grok's personalities includes:
- Argumentative
- Assistant
- Conspiracy
- Doctor
- Kids’ Stories
- Kids’ Trivia Games
- Meditation
- Motivation
- Romantic
- Sexy
- Storyteller
- Therapist
- Language Tutor
- Grok Classic - Unhinged Mode
This diverse range of personas will cater to different user preferences, potentially making long drives more entertaining or even therapeutic.
Release Date and Availability
With icons for these new personalities now embedded within the firmware, it appears that Tesla is on the verge of rolling out the Grok feature. However, it's important to note that once Grok is developed and integrated into the vehicle's software, Tesla may initially limit access to a select group of employees for testing purposes before a wider launch.
Grok is anticipated to be one of the most significant features added to Tesla vehicles via a software update, representing a substantial leap in vehicle interactivity. While we have a clearer picture of what Grok will offer, questions remain about the specific vehicle requirements and whether access to Grok will necessitate a subscription, beyond the existing Premium Connectivity service.
Vehicle Requirements and Compatibility
Insights from Green's findings suggest that Grok will be compatible only with vehicles utilizing AMD-based software builds. This raises concerns for owners of older, Intel-based models, which may not support this innovative feature at launch. Interestingly, when Tesla first introduced its voice assistant in China, it was also limited to AMD vehicles, but Intel support was eventually added. This precedent gives Intel vehicle owners hope that Grok may eventually become available to them as well.
Energy-Saving Innovations
In addition to the Grok update, Green has also identified a new, undocumented navigation feature in version 2025.20.3. This feature leverages Tesla’s extensive data resources to provide drivers with proactive advice aimed at optimizing energy efficiency on their routes. For instance, the Energy App now informs drivers of optimal speeds to conserve battery life, such as suggesting that a driver slow down by a specific amount to save a percentage of energy over the duration of their trip.
In the example provided, Tesla indicates that drivers typically travel at 66 mph on a given route and suggests reducing that speed by five mph to save 1% of range. While the immediate gains may seem minimal, this feature could prove invaluable for drivers with low battery levels or those looking to maximize their efficiency during longer journeys.
Looking ahead, Tesla might integrate this energy-saving advice with its growing repository of road surface data, potentially enhancing route planning for its Robotaxi and Unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems.
For those interested, Tesla has also included a total of seven other undocumented features within the 2025.20 update, offering even more enhancements for users keen on optimizing their driving experience.