Latest news with #FSD
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard slams Elon Musk: ‘Cybertruck looks like a dumpster, world needed affordable EVs'
In a rare and candid interview, Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard has openly criticised Elon Musk 's leadership and recent strategic choices at Tesla. Speaking with YouTuber Kim Java, Eberhard did not hold back, calling the Cybertruck a 'dumpster' and slamming the cancellation of Tesla's affordable $25,000 EV as a disservice to global needs. Eberhard also expressed deep skepticism about Tesla's self-driving ambitions and raised concerns about safety and regulatory oversight. His remarks reveal a simmering feud with Musk and spotlight long-standing disagreements about Tesla's direction, values, and the future of electric mobility. Elon Musk's Cybertruck and EV priorities draw sharp criticism Eberhard voiced strong disappointment in Tesla's decision to scrap plans for an affordable electric vehicle in favor of pushing the Cybertruck. 'I am actually disappointed that Tesla canceled its low-end car program because that's what the world needs—not a truck that looks like a dumpster,' he said. The Cybertruck, with its polarizing design and high price point, represents a stark shift from the early Tesla vision of accelerating global EV adoption through affordability and accessibility. Beyond aesthetics and affordability, Eberhard took aim at Tesla's push for autonomous vehicles. He expressed doubt about the company's ambitious Robotaxi program and broader self-driving goals, saying, 'I'm more skeptical of that than most people are.' He pointed to safety concerns and a worrying tolerance for system failures that have, in some cases, resulted in fatalities. His comments highlight growing scrutiny over the regulatory leniency and marketing of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 20 Blue Flag beaches around the World Click Here Undo A long-standing rift with Elon Musk Eberhard's criticisms reflect more than just technical disagreements—they also expose a deeply personal rift with Musk that has spanned nearly two decades. Though Eberhard left Tesla in 2007 and settled a lawsuit with Musk in 2009, tensions remain. He remarked, 'Somebody pointed out that I'm still occupying real estate in his head, which is kind of funny.' Eberhard suggested Musk continues to publicly attack him, citing occasional jabs during high-profile events like TED Talks or on social media. Eberhard is still a shareholder, but not silent Despite the friction, Eberhard remains a Tesla shareholder and has previously expressed hope for the company's success. In his 2019 comments, he affirmed his support for Tesla's mission even as he distanced himself from Musk's management. His latest interview, however, shows a clear shift toward vocal opposition to the company's evolving product strategy and ethical direction. Tesla's current challenges amplify criticism Eberhard's remarks come at a difficult time for Tesla. The company has faced declining sales in major markets like California, backlash over pricing strategies, and billions in losses from cryptocurrency ventures. Musk himself lost $12 billion in a single day due to market volatility. Eberhard's critique adds to a growing chorus questioning whether Tesla is straying too far from its founding principles of innovation, safety, and sustainability. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
ArabGT
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Tesla Partners with Samsung in $16.5 Billion Semiconductor Deal
In a move that could define the next era of autonomous driving, Tesla has signed a game-changing $16.5 billion deal with Samsung Electronics to supply the next generation of semiconductor chips. These aren't just any chips—they're the brains behind Tesla's future self-driving systems, and they'll be built at Samsung's new facility in Taylor, Texas. For Samsung, this is more than a contract—it's a second chance. The company's chip foundry business has struggled to keep up with competitors like TSMC, and its Texas factory has been operating without major clients for months. That changes now. After the deal was announced, Samsung's shares jumped nearly 7%. Tesla's also saw a healthy bump in premarket trading. Why This Factory—and Why Now? Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain that the factory's location near his home in Texas makes it easier for him to keep a close eye on operations. He even said he plans to personally walk the production line to speed things up. Musk hinted that the $16.5 billion figure is just the beginning—suggesting production might scale much higher. Until now, Samsung's Taylor plant was underutilized. Equipment from ASML sat idle as orders failed to materialize. Tesla's involvement gives the site a clear direction and a high-stakes mission: deliver the AI6 chips that will power the most advanced version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology. Following the Roadmap: AI4, AI5, and Now AI6 Samsung currently produces Tesla's AI4 chips, which are used in its existing FSD systems. AI5 chips—scheduled to launch in late 2026—will be built by TSMC in Taiwan and eventually Arizona. The AI6 chips, set to follow in 2027 or 2028, represent Tesla's next leap in autonomous hardware. For Samsung, this is a critical part of Chairman Jay Y. Lee's strategy to diversify beyond memory chips and build a serious presence in the custom chip manufacturing space. But it won't be easy. Samsung still holds only 8% of the global foundry market, compared to TSMC's dominant 67%, according to TrendForce. Behind the Curtain of a Billion-Dollar Partnership When Samsung first announced the deal, it kept the client anonymous. But industry insiders quickly confirmed Tesla's involvement. The agreement runs through 2033—a decade-long partnership that could shift the balance of power in high-performance chip manufacturing. The timing is crucial. Samsung is preparing to release its quarterly earnings, and the numbers haven't looked great lately. A projected 56% drop in operating profit and over $3.6 billion in foundry losses this year alone have investors nervous. Meanwhile, TSMC continues to rack up deals with the likes of Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. That's why this Tesla deal matters. It's not just about production volume—it's about relevance. It's about whether Samsung can still compete in the race for AI-driven hardware. And for Tesla, it's a bold move to ensure its autonomy ambitions stay on track.
International Business Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- International Business Times
Tesla Signs $16.5 Billion Chip Deal with Samsung to Power Next-Gen AI Plans
Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung Electronics for the production of next-generation AI6 chips, CEO Elon Musk confirmed on Sunday. The chips will be manufactured at Samsung's chip plant in Taylor, Texas—a project that has faced setbacks due to a lack of major clients until now. The partnership marks a significant win for Samsung's struggling foundry business, which has trailed behind rivals like TSMC. Shares of Samsung rose nearly 7% on Monday following the announcement, as investors welcomed the long-awaited order. Despite the market optimism, analysts say the deal is unlikely to improve Tesla's short-term issues, such as falling EV sales or delays in its robotaxi rollout. Musk stated that the AI6 chips are intended for Tesla's self-driving vehicles and humanoid robots, adding that they may also serve wider AI applications due to their advanced computing power. He emphasized the partnership's operational proximity: "The fab is conveniently located not far from my house," he posted on X. Samsung currently supplies Tesla's AI4 chips used in Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems. TSMC is expected to produce the upcoming AI5 chips, set to begin by late 2026, suggesting AI6 chips may only be ready by 2027 or later. While the timeline for AI6 production remains unclear, analysts believe the deal could reduce financial losses for Samsung's chip foundry division, estimated at over $3.6 billion in just the first half of 2025. A senior South Korean trade official denied the chip deal was directly linked to ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., despite the growing push for semiconductor collaboration. Samsung holds only 8% of the global foundry market, compared to TSMC's 67%, according to Trendforce. Industry experts view the Tesla deal as a crucial step in Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee's long-term goal of becoming a top player in contract chip manufacturing. (With inputs from agencies)
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Expert witness backs Tesla in fatal Autopilot crash case
Tesla (TSLA) is officially on the offense in its South Florida civil trial over the fatal crash that involved its Autopilot driver assistance software. The EV maker is being sued by the family of Naibel Benavides, who was killed in 2019 by a runaway Tesla that had Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged. The vehicle, driven by George Brian McGee, sped through a T intersection at 62 miles per hour and T-boned an empty parked car in Key Largo, Florida. Related: Tesla driver gives damning testimony in fatal Autopilot crash trial Benavides, 22, was standing outside of her vehicle when she was killed, while her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, was critically injured. Tesla has argued that McGee, who has settled lawsuits brought by Benavides and Angulo's families, was entirely at fault because their data showed that his foot was on the accelerator just before the moment of impact. On Friday, the company called its first witness to testify to that fact while also providing further details in its defense. Tesla used an accident reconstruction expert to bolster its case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. James Walker is a mechanical engineer at Carr Engineering and is a court-accepted expert at reconstructing the scene of car crashes. Based on his own expertise and Tesla's data, Walker concluded that McGee was fully in control of his Tesla Model S at the time of the crash, even though he had Autopilot engaged. "For the last 1.2 miles, or about 75 seconds, the driver's foot is on the accelerator pedal the whole time. He's taken control," Walker testified, according to Law360. Related: Tesla faces its most serious court battle in years "He was driving the car; the car wasn't driving him." McGee dropped his phone while driving down the street on that fateful night. He was looking for the device, not at the road, when the crash occurred. McGee had testified that he was not alerted that a crash was imminent, and only realized something was amiss when he felt the road turn from pavement to gravel once he reached the end of the street. However, Walker contradicted that testimony, telling jurors that data showed McGee's car sent an alert 1.65 seconds before impact and brakes were applied 1 second before impact. McGee's car tore through a stop sign at 61 mph and hit the Chevy Tahoe at 52 mph. The plaintiffs argue that Tesla is at least partially responsible for the crash because it overpromised on what "Autopilot" is capable of while underdelivering on what it could actually do. Walker's testimony on Friday followed testimony from George McGee, who blamed Tesla for the crash. "I thought it would assist me if I made a mistake," McGee, 48, a partner in a Florida private equity firm, told a jury in the U.S. District Court for Southern Florida. "It didn't warn me of the car and the individuals, and hit the brakes." McGee was charged with careless driving in October 2019 and ordered to complete 16 hours of traffic school. Tesla has argued that McGee is solely at fault and that there is nothing Autopilot or any other platform could have done to prevent the crash. "He's rummaging around for his phone, and he runs through the intersection," Joel H. Smith, a lawyer for law firm Bowman and Brooke, said in his opening statement. "This can happen in any car, at any time. This is not about Autopilot." Related: Elon Musk has a simple solution for Tesla's problems in Europe The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Tesla taps Samsung in $16.5B AI chip deal—A game-changer that could rewrite the future of driving; details here
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion contract with Samsung Electronics to manufacture its next-generation AI6 chips, Elon Musk confirmed on July 28, 2025. The chips will be produced in Samsung's new Texas-based facility. The agreement spans nine years, from July 24, 2025, to December 31, 2034, and marks a significant milestone in Tesla's push to scale its Full Self-Driving capabilities and other AI-based products. AI6 chips to power Tesla's autonomous tech and robotics The AI6 chips will be developed to support Tesla's upcoming hardware platforms, including its next-gen Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, the Optimus humanoid robot, and AI infrastructure like the Dojo supercomputer. Currently, Tesla uses the AI4 chip in its Hardware 4 vehicles. An intermediate AI5 chip, produced by Taiwan-based TSMC, is expected to bridge the gap before AI6 is fully rolled out. Elon Musk also noted that TSMC will begin producing AI5 chips in the United States at its Arizona facility, shifting some of the production away from Taiwan. Samsung's Texas fab to focus solely on Tesla chips According to Musk's posts on X, Samsung's Texas fab will be dedicated exclusively to manufacturing Tesla's AI6 chips. 'The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,' Musk said, adding that Samsung agreed to Tesla playing an active role in maximizing manufacturing efficiency. Musk mentioned he would be directly involved, even 'walking the line personally' at the fab to accelerate progress. He also pointed out that the facility's proximity to his home makes close involvement more feasible. Samsung's foundry business gets a major boost Samsung had earlier announced a major contract for chip manufacturing with a global client without naming Tesla, citing business confidentiality. The deal, worth $16.5 billion, accounts for 7.6% of the company's 2024 revenue. The partnership comes at a crucial time for the South Korean company, which has been under pressure in the competitive AI chip space. Despite being the global leader in memory chips, Samsung's foundry division has struggled to retain major clients, many of whom prefer TSMC for advanced chip production. TSMC's client list includes key industry players like Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. Musk expects output to exceed deal value Musk emphasized that the $16.5 billion figure is only a baseline. 'The $16.5B number is just the bare minimum. Actual output is likely to be several times higher,' he posted. This suggests Tesla expects demand for AI6-powered systems to grow significantly, which would require ramping up chip production well beyond the initial contract estimate. This partnership highlights Tesla's long-term strategy to localize chip manufacturing within the United States and reduce reliance on overseas production. It also strengthens Samsung's position in the U.S. semiconductor market, especially as it looks to compete with TSMC and SK Hynix in advanced chip technologies.
