Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains tight-lipped about crucial details regarding the company’s long-promised autonomous vehicle, the Tesla robotaxi.
Q2 2024 Shareholder Update → https://t.co/sXBSeLiJIj
— Highlights
We continued to expand our vehicle lineup globally, with new trims of Model 3 & Y as well as new S3XY paint options.
Vehicle
– Refreshed Model 3 ramp continued successfully– We also continue to qualify more… pic.twitter.com/2UuLhlmjvD
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 23, 2024
During recent inquiries, Musk notably avoided discussing whether the robotaxi will feature traditional controls like pedals and a steering wheel. The inclusion or omission of these controls is a significant issue.
Should Tesla invest $5B into @xAI, assuming the valuation is set by several credible outside investors?
(Board approval & shareholder vote are needed, so this is just to test the waters)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 24, 2024
A more conventional vehicle design could potentially hit the market much sooner, while a radically designed robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals would face lengthy approval processes from federal regulators. The latter would require an exemption from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), of which only 2,500 are granted per company each year. When specifically asked if Tesla plans to seek such an exemption, Musk deflected.
He instead contrasted Tesla’s “generalized solution” to autonomous driving with Waymo’s “localized” approach, which he described as “quite fragile.”
I know for many people, it can be tough to see Tesla stock down by -8% today. But just bc the margins and earnings didn’t meet Wall Street’s expectations and the Robotaxi event got pushed back by a couple of months does NOT mean Tesla isn’t doing well. Don’t get fooled by seeing… pic.twitter.com/UxDGl6kdgA
— Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) July 24, 2024
Current regulations mandate that vehicles must have basic human controls, including steering wheels and pedals, to be sold in the United States.
Tesla’s approach to robotaxi controls
Some companies like Nuro and Amazon’s Zoox have sought exemptions to deploy a limited number of steering wheel-free vehicles.
Others, such as Waymo, continue to operate on public roads with traditional controls, while still planning to introduce a driverless vehicle without such controls eventually. Tesla’s robotaxi sketches and patents hint at a steering wheel-free design, but concrete details remain elusive. Critics argue that Musk’s robotaxi promises feel more like “vaporware,” noting that competitors like Waymo are already completing around 50,000 passenger trips weekly.
Musk insists that Tesla is more of an AI company than a traditional automaker. Yet he remains vague about the significant regulatory and technological hurdles ahead. Whether Tesla will meet its ambitious timeline or face further delays remains to be seen.
We may have to wait until October for more definitive answers, as Tesla navigates the complex path to realizing its autonomous vehicle vision.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
