Latest news with #Autopilot
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New report reveals major roadblock for new Tesla service just weeks from planned launch: 'There are many doubts'
More bad news for Tesla: As the date nears for its autonomous robotaxi service launch, it has yet to operate the vehicles unsupervised in the Texas capital. "Tesla has reportedly yet to start testing its robotaxi service in Austin without a safety driver behind the wheel — just weeks before the planned launch," Electrek reported, citing The Information. The electric vehicle pioneer was planning on a June rollout. The latter outlet said Tesla had used human safety drivers until at least April, and the former noted Waymo tested its autonomous taxi service without supervision for six months before taking that next step. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has touted the service for years, though he has made similar pie-in-the-sky promises in the past that have not come to fruition. Recently, his assurances that Cybertrucks would be cheap range monsters and otherwise groundbreaking were met with the reality of expensive price tags more than double the original estimates, recalls, the cancellation of a range extender add-on, and widespread criticism. Electrek pointed out that the robotaxi launch is "disappointing" because all Teslas since 2016 have been "capable of self-driving." The problem is that the company has had to clarify its models must be supervised by an attentive driver; the robotaxis are supposed to be autonomous, so the current tech would at best require the passenger to be a licensed driver sitting in the driver's seat. That may be a non-starter for ride-hailing services, so the company understandably wants to at least replicate what Waymo has achieved, with an intention to be even better. That may be difficult, though, without adopting the more expensive safety mechanisms Waymo employs with additional lidar and radar detection for its AI driving tech to cross-reference. "Even with the significant downgrade in self-driving capabilities promised with this project, there are many doubts about Tesla's ability to achieve the lesser goal," Electrek's Fred Lambert also wrote, adding that other companies have been there and done that. He said a letdown with the robotaxi service "would be disastrous" but might open the eyes of shareholders who have not flinched in the face of previous broken promises. In March, Electrek detailed this issue: "Tesla's upcoming launch in Austin is extremely similar to what Waymo has been operating for years, with the main difference being that Tesla only uses cameras while Waymo uses a full array of different sensors, including lidar." YouTuber Mark Rober recently demonstrated the problem with Tesla's approach, showing the camera system could be fooled by a wall that was made to look like a road. Though Rober only tested it on Tesla's lesser Autopilot feature (albeit in its most conservative settings) instead of Full Self-Driving, the debacle made headlines, putting the camera-only system into question. More broadly, Tesla's struggles — which include massive drops in sales and its stock price (which has since regained a big chunk of its losses) on the heels of Musk spending big on the 2024 presidential election campaign and becoming involved in government cuts to programs and jobs — signal a difficult path ahead. In response, Musk has said robotaxis and robotics would be the future of the company and help it again reach the heights it has climbed. Would you ride in a self-driving Tesla Robotaxi? Heck yes Probably Not anytime soon No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "My main concern now is for public safety," Electrek's Fred Lambert stated. "I have little hope of U.S. regulators being able to stop Tesla considering [President Donald] Trump is firing anyone who got in Musk's way after he gave him over $250 million. If Tesla brings its cowboy approach to this, it could get bad quickly." A commenter added: "Cab drivers are still cheaper than a team of engineers, remote operators, and supercomputers, and the taxi business has low profit margins. This means Tesla will be losing money on every ride for years to come." This claim is realistic for the short term, though Musk and Co. surely are aware that the project is an investment for longer-term profitability. In general, electric vehicles help consumers save about $1,500 annually on gas and maintenance. They also reduce the production of planet-warming pollution, which is driving rising global temperatures that threaten human health, plant and animal biodiversity, and stable weather systems. No matter Tesla's struggles, you can contribute to a cleaner, cooler future. Make your next car an EV, or take public transportation instead of driving. Walking and cycling are even better alternatives that will help you pad your bank account, get exercise, and boost everyone's well-being in addition to that of Earth. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla hiring drivers in Delhi and Mumbai to test ‘Autopilot' ahead of India launch
Tesla is gearing up for its much-anticipated entry into the Indian market, and as a part of its preparation, the electric vehicle (EV) giant is now hiring drivers in Delhi and Mumbai to test its renowned 'Autopilot' system. These drivers will serve as 'Prototype Vehicle Operators' responsible for gathering crucial data by driving engineering vehicles through real-world Indian conditions. The role is essential for adapting Tesla's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features to the complexities of local traffic. This marks a major milestone as Tesla moves closer to launching in India. Tesla's drivers job responsibilities and requirements Tesla's job posting calls for experienced and highly skilled drivers who can handle long hours behind the wheel in dynamic urban environments. The selected drivers will be responsible for collecting data through Tesla's advanced sensor suite, which includes external cameras and computer vision systems. The job includes: Driving engineering vehicles 5–8 hours daily Operating audio and video recording equipment Analysing the quality of data collected Offering feedback for process improvements Tesla emphasized that applicants should be familiar with ADAS and autonomous driving technologies, and must thrive in fast-paced, high-performance work settings. What is Tesla's Autopilot Tesla's Autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system designed to enhance safety and convenience. It automates several functions like lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-aware lane changes. The more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability, currently available under supervision, allows Tesla vehicles to navigate complex road environments including intersections and turns, though driver monitoring is still required. All Tesla vehicles for the North American market are now built with Tesla Vision—an AI-powered, camera-based system that eliminates radar dependency. This system will now be tested and adapted to suit Indian roads. Why testing in India matters India presents a unique driving environment with high traffic density, diverse vehicle types, unpredictable pedestrian behavior, and inconsistent road infrastructure. This makes local data collection essential for Tesla to ensure its Autopilot features function safely and reliably. By testing on Indian roads , Tesla aims to train and fine-tune its machine learning algorithms to recognize local driving patterns and obstacles—something that simulations or foreign data sets can't replicate effectively. A step closer to India launch Tesla's hiring move comes after years of speculation about its India plans. With regulatory permissions, charging infrastructure, and import duties long considered hurdles, this new development is a clear indicator that the EV maker is finally taking concrete steps toward a formal entry. Hiring local drivers and testing vehicles in India shows that Tesla is not only committed to launching its vehicles but is also focused on adapting them to the realities of Indian driving. Tesla's recruitment of drivers in Delhi and Mumbai for its Autopilot testing marks a significant turning point in its India strategy. By collecting data on local roads, the company is laying the groundwork for a smarter, safer, and more localized version of its driving technology. For Indian consumers, this could mean a more efficient and tailored driving experience when Tesla cars eventually hit the roads. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla's Robotaxis Won't Be Driving Alone — Humans Will Be Watching
Tesla's Robotaxis Won't Be Driving Alone — Humans Will Be Watching originally appeared on Autoblog. Tesla's long-promised fleet of self-driving robotaxis is finally arriving — sort of. CEO Elon Musk says the company will launch a small pilot of driverless Model Ys in Austin, Texas, by the end of June. But rather than letting the cars roam entirely on their own, Tesla is quietly hiring human teleoperators to monitor and, if necessary, take control of the vehicles remotely. This hybrid approach isn't unusual in the autonomous vehicle industry, but it stands in contrast to Tesla's public messaging around 'Full Self-Driving.' While Musk has long dismissed the need for external sensors like LIDAR and radar, calling Tesla's camera-based AI system sufficient, the company is still relying on human assistance to address real-world challenges. Investment analysts at Morgan Stanley recently confirmed that Tesla is relying heavily on human oversight, citing visits to the company's Palo Alto office. Several job postings back this up, including roles for 'Teleoperation' engineers who will help create tools that allow humans to see what the car sees and intervene when things go wrong. These workers won't just be steering stuck robotaxis from afar. Tesla says they'll also help build the user interface that connects remote humans with onboard AI — essentially shaping the collaboration between man and machine. Tesla hasn't yet released safety data for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, which is still under federal scrutiny. Both Autopilot and FSD have been linked to hundreds of crashes, including some fatal ones. The company maintains that its approach will prove safer than human drivers in the long run, but for now, it's taking extra precautions. The Austin rollout will start with just 10 vehicles and be limited to an invite-only group of users. Musk says Tesla plans to scale up to 1,000 robotaxis within a few months, assuming the pilot runs smoothly. Tesla's teleoperation setup now looks surprisingly similar to what Waymo, a longtime autonomous driving competitor, already uses. Waymo employs 'fleet response agents' who step in when its cars get confused. Tesla's version may go even further, using virtual reality rigs and custom software to give operators a real-time view and control of the car's surroundings. Tesla's upcoming robotaxi rollout may mark a major milestone for the company, but it also underscores how far we still are from truly autonomous driving. Despite bold claims and years of promises, even Tesla is leaning on human intervention to make its system viable in the real world. That's not necessarily a setback; it's a pragmatic step. As the line between autonomy and remote assistance blurs, Tesla joins a growing list of companies accepting that 'self-driving' often still requires a safety net. Whether this hybrid model is a short-term bridge or a long-term necessity remains to be seen. For now, the road to autonomy still has a human hand on the wheel, just not inside the car. Tesla's Robotaxis Won't Be Driving Alone — Humans Will Be Watching first appeared on Autoblog on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Executive Admits That Self-Driving Is Going Nowhere Fast
Nearly ten years ago in 2015, rising tech entrepreneur Elon Musk made a bold announcement: Tesla vehicles would be fully driving themselves by 2017. The billionaire was talking about vehicles with level 5 autonomy — a designation by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) commonly used as the benchmark for a full self-driving car that can drive where its passengers please with no intervention. He repeated those claims in January 2016, saying "summon should work anywhere connected by land and not blocked by borders" within two years. For example, if you're in Los Angeles and your Tesla is in New York, you'd be able to summon it to you from across the country — at least according to his vision, which many took as gospel. By June of that year, Musk called level 5 autonomy a "solved problem." He did so again in 2017. And again in 2018. Then the next year. And the year after that. You probably see where this is going. Now in 2025, Tesla isn't looking meaningfully closer to Level 5 autonomy than in 2015. Though Tesla rolled out its Autopilot features en masse that same year, it's only achieved SAE Level 2 — enough for a driver to "take their hands off the wheel and let their vehicle take control when driving in certain conditions." (That hasn't stopped numerous motorists from overestimating the system's capabilities and dying as a result.) That isn't likely to change anytime soon, according to an intriguing insider: Tesla's head of Autopilot and AI software, Ashok Elluswamy. The Tesla official was speaking on the Gobinath Podcast, an Indian-English interview show, where he admitted the EV company is still way behind its competitors — despite over a decade of self-driving development. "Technically, Waymo is already performing," Elluswamy admitted, referencing Google's autonomous vehicle program. "We are lagging by maybe a couple of years." This is despite Tesla's — also long-promised — fully self-driving Robocab service supposedly going live in Austin, Texas this coming June. It's not understood how this will work, as Tesla would need to demonstrate a vehicle capable of driving itself at SAE Level 4 to transport riders without the need for human intervention. So far, Musk has been uncharacteristically silent on the prospects of a Level 4 vehicle. Late in 2024, Greg McGuire, managing director of the autonomous vehicle research facility at the University of Michigan, told SAE Media that Tesla "is not — from what I've seen — ready for general Level 4 operation." "Will they be there by 2027? At [UofM], we still think there's a couple of key scientific barriers," McGuire said. That makes Musk's ever-stretching timeline for full self-driving — let alone a Robocab network — tenuous at best, and an absurd fantasy at worst. Still, a billionaire can dream. More on Tesla: Tesla's Head of Software Departs as Robotaxi Reveal Looms Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Engadget
a day ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
Tesla says it has been testing driverless Model Ys in Austin for 'several days'
Tesla's robotaxi service has started testing in Austin without drivers in advance of its promised June launch, according to the company. "For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no on in driver's seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents," CEO Elon Musk posted on X. "A month ahead of schedule." Earlier this year, Tesla promised to launch its robotaxi service sometime in June, using an internal fleet of 10 to 20 Model Ys operating in a limited, geo-fenced part of Austin with remote human assistance. The level of human assistance (teleoperation) isn't clear, but there are fears based on Tesla's recent history that human operators may be used to cover up any technical deficiencies in Tesla's self-driving vehicles. A recent Bloomberg report was more specific about the launch date with paid customers, putting it at June 12. However, reports earlier this month indicated that Tesla had yet to even start testing without drivers as of mid-May, so it would only have a few weeks of testing before a commercial launch. On top of that, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is still in the dark about many details around the service. "The agency would like to gather additional information about Tesla's development of technologies for use in 'robotaxi' vehicles to understand how Tesla plans to evaluate its vehicles and driving automation technologies for use on public roads," the NHTSA wrote in a May 8 letter to Tesla. That information is key for public safety, because Tesla will only be using camera-based systems and not LiDAR and radar sensors like Waymo and other robotaxi operators. In a recent analyst call, Elon Musk said that the Model Y robotaxi vehicles would be the same as Model Y vehicles sold to the public. "There's no change to it," Musk said (before being contradicted by Tesla's Autopilot software director). No other details were released, but the upcoming service is certainly of critical importance to the automaker given flagging Tesla EV sales, particularly in Europe. CEO Elon Musk famously staked the future of Tesla on robotaxis, reportedly even canceling a budget EV to focus on that service.
