Tesla Cybertruck Debuts New Sentry Mode Owl Graphic, and It Looks Glorious

Tesla Sentry Mode uses the car's cameras to constantly monitor the surroundings and alert the owner when necessary. It also records video streams from the cameras, which authorities can use later in case something bad happens. This feature is so helpful that it makes everyone wonder why other carmakers have not offered it before. After all, many car models are fitted with cameras for their various driver assistance systems.

Tesla introduced Sentry Mode in 2019 amid a flurry of incidents targeting its electric vehicles in the US. The revolutionary surveillance system has helped authorities catch thieves and vandals ever since. It's also a valuable tool for insurance companies, especially in hit-and-run incidents.

Initially, engaging Tesla Sentry Mode would show a graphic on the car's center display inspired by HAL 9000 from the "2001: A Space Odyssey" science fiction movie. This was not the first time Elon Musk has shown his playful side by taking inspiration from iconic games and films, and it won't be the last. Over the years, Tesla refined the icon, which now resembles the central lights on the turrets from the Portal game series. In the case of the Cybertruck, though, Tesla moved on from the Portal-inspired graphic.

A parked Cybertruck was caught on camera while displaying an owl on the center screen, along with the familiar words "Sentry Activated." This time, the graphic is not inspired by an outside source, as the owl's silhouette features Cybertruck-like polygons. You can admire the same owl on the "Men's Cybertruck Owl Tee," which you can order from Tesla Shop if you wear XXL or 3XL. The picture of the new Sentry Mode icon was shared on Reddit by user u/CaliforniaMuscleGuy, and the new graphic was very appreciated.

The same Sentry Mode graphic appears in another video of a parked Cybertruck, this time caught with the interface set to Dark Mode. The owl looks even more menacing in this case, with the red eyes seemingly watching the car's cabin. You can admire it in the video below, although the "Cyber Owl" only appears briefly at the start of the video.

In a recent security incident, a Russian transport company employee got inside a Cybertruck while it was being transported on a trailer. The guy had access to the car's key card and played with the screen, revealing a fresh infotainment interface. This had revamped graphics and a new battery icon with ten slanted lines instead of a solid icon like other Tesla models. An app launcher was also visible on the left side of the screen.