Back in 2016, Elon Musk, the dynamic CEO of Tesla, made a splash in the automotive industry by declaring all Tesla cars would be equipped for “full self-driving.” He painted a future where Tesla owners could enjoy a nap as their cars effortlessly drove them around. Fast-forward to today, and this promise appears more like a mirage than a nearing reality.
Despite Musk’s unveiling of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta, the idea of Tesla cars autonomously cruising with passengers dozing off is far from materializing. Surprisingly, several fully autonomous cars have made their debut in various US cities since Musk’s 2016 proclamation, yet none sport the Tesla emblem.
In the latest segment of Land of the Giants: The Tesla Shock Wave, the episode delves into Tesla’s stumbling journey in autonomous driving, why a truly driverless Tesla may remain a pipedream and the genuine essence of autonomous vehicles.
Musk’s optimistic timelines, foreseeing autonomous cars “a year” away, have now become emblematic of Tesla’s narrative. While Musk’s loyalists laud the achievements of Autopilot and FSD, emphasizing the trajectory towards AI-driven transportation, the ground reality paints a different picture.
The safety of Tesla’s self-driving claims has come under fire, with countless accidents involving Tesla cars operating on FSD and Autopilot, resulting in multiple fatalities. Numerous regulatory bodies are probing into Tesla’s bold self-driving assertions, hinting at a potential significant recall. The promised worker robot, another testament to Tesla’s AI prowess, seems to have its share of imperfections.
While Tesla has undeniably shaped the electric vehicle sector, its venture into full self-driving remains questionable. Musk’s vision for autonomous driving, although ambitious, demands a reality check. It serves as a reminder that while technological advancements can be groundbreaking, ensuring safety should never be compromised.
