Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, confirmed Tesla is working on a voice command feature for its Grok AI assistant. Users will soon be able to start Grok by saying “Hey Grok” instead of pressing a button. This makes it easier to use Grok while driving.
Grok AI assistant – rollout details
Tesla started offering Grok in its cars from July 12, 2025. All new Tesla vehicles sold since then have Grok built in. Cars with the right hardware can get it through a software update.
Requirements:
- Must have an AMD infotainment chip (found in most Teslas since mid-2021)
- Needs software version 2025.26 or newer
- Requires Premium Connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection
- Works on Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck
What does the “Hey Grok” wake word mean?
The idea for a wake word like “Hey Grok” came up on social media. WholeMarsBlog suggested it. Musk replied with “coming.” This means Tesla has already started working on it. Once released, users can start Grok with their voice, hands-free, much like saying “Hey Siri” to Apple devices.
Right now, drivers need to tap the screen or press a button on the steering wheel to launch Grok. The new feature will remove these steps.
Current Grok features and limits
Grok lets drivers have back-and-forth talks with the AI. Users can pick from different voices and styles, such as “Storyteller” or “Unhinged.” The AI can answer questions and chat, but every chat is kept separate; it is not tied to the user’s Tesla account.
Main features:
- Different voices and personalities available
- Can use the steering wheel button for hands-free use now
- Keeps conversations anonymous
- Gives real-time replies
Limits:
- Can’t control the car or run regular voice commands (like AC or music)
- Needs a button press for now (wake word isn’t live yet)
- Still in beta
Early users say Grok works well for answering questions during drives. But some want it to do more, like controlling the car. Making it voice-activated should make it easier to use.
How Grok works and what’s next
Tesla expects to add Grok to more cars over time, possibly even older Intel-based models. Grok runs in the cloud. Tesla’s system records your question, sends it online for processing, then speaks the answer back in the car.
With Grok, Tesla is raising the bar for smart car assistants. This puts pressure on other brands to improve their own in-car AI. Tesla is using Grok to show that AI and infotainment are important selling points for its cars.
Tesla will keep rolling out Grok in steps, using its normal update process. The wake word should arrive soon, based on Musk’s confirmation. The update will likely show up in an upcoming software release.
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