Tesla to Enable 'Active Noise Cancellation' on Cybertruck With Update

Tesla to Enable 'Active Noise Cancellation' on Cybertruck With Update

The launch of the new $59,990 Cybertruck surfaced several new details, including a key item in Tesla’s trim comparison tool: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is listed as standard on the Premium AWD and Cyberbeast. Since ANC is currently disabled on all Cybertrucks on the road, its inclusion on the spec sheet signals that a software update will enable it soon.

Hardware is already there

The Cybertruck shipped from the factory with the necessary hardware for ANC. Earlier this year, a review of the Tesla Service Toolbox showed that the Cybertruck features the same basic ANC hardware architecture found in the Model S and Model X. However, the service tool explicitly notes: “ANC software is not enabled on Cybertruck even though the hardware is installed.”

While the Model S and Model X rely on six microphones inside the cabin, the Cybertruck will achieve ANC using four.

The delay is likely tied to the truck’s unique acoustics. The expansive glass roof, echoing cavities within aluminum castings used to project sound, and added road noise from heavier all-terrain tires present challenges in tuning ANC to cancel the Cybertruck’s specific road-noise frequencies.

How ANC works

Once a future over-the-air update enables the feature, it will operate similarly to noise-cancelling headphones.

Microphones distributed throughout the cabin, along with accelerometers near the wheels, continuously measure low-frequency road rumble and tire hum. The system then produces anti-noise—essentially inverted sound waves—and plays it through the 15-speaker system to reduce background drone and create quieter zones in the cabin.

Who will get it?

Based on the new comparator, ANC will be offered only on the Premium AWD and Cyberbeast trims. The new base Dual Motor AWD will not include ANC, as it reduces the number of speakers to reach its lower price.

Current Cybertruck owners can look forward to ANC being enabled in an upcoming software release.