Tesla Puts the Pieces Together to Bring Robotaxi to Market

Image: Tesla

Tesla is stepping up its efforts to bring Robotaxi to the road with a reveal of the new vehicle coming in just one month. The company is improving its FSD capabilities in preparation for markets outside of North America, working with regulators, and preparing an ecosystem to operate the Robotaxi fleet seamlessly. Welcome to the latest Tesla news from Jowua.

Tesla asks regulators to allow rotating seats in cars

The company has submitted an application to the NTC in Australia for an industry consultation, in which it said it strives for approval for rotating front seats in cars. Tesla said that in light of the development of self-driving cars, traditional interiors could be redesigned. Tesla wrote:

“Provided appropriate safety measures are implemented, vehicle designs that facilitate fully reclining or rotating seats, or designs without forward-oriented seats are imaginable or vehicle designs where only a center seating position (e.g., for Heavy Duty Vehicles) are foreseeable. Furthermore, even in the context of dual-mode vehicles, fallback or direct control capability can be provided by remote operators.”

The fast-paced development of FSD

Tesla has published an FSD (Full Self-Driving) roadmap for the coming months. In addition to a lot of improvements planned for 2024, the company has outlined a plan to bring the feature to markets outside of North America. According to the information provided, Tesla is already awaiting FSD regulatory approval in China and Europe and expects to receive it in early 2025.

Roadmap:

September 2024

• v12.5.2 with ~3x improved miles between necessary interventions
• v12.5.2 on AI3 computer (unified models for AI3 and AI4)
• Actually Smart Summon
• Cybertruck Autopark
• Eye-tracking with sunglasses
• End-to-End network on highway
• Cybertruck FSD

October 2024

• Unpark, Park and Reverse in FSD
• v13 with ~6x improved miles between necessary interventions

Q1 2025

• FSD in Europe (pending regulatory approval)
• FSD in China (pending regulatory approval)

Wireless charging for cars is on the way

Tesla continues to work on wireless charging technology for cars, as shown by patent applications filed last week. Previously, the manufacturer acquired Wiferion, a company that specialized in wireless charging technology for industrial applications, and later, Tesla's chief designer Franz von Holzhausen also confirmed that the company was developing wireless charging technology. Most likely, this solution is primarily being developed for the upcoming Robotaxi.

Robotaxi event will take place in Los Angeles

Tesla has opened the possibility of applying to participate in the Robotaxi unveiling event. The lottery for winning invitations is open to shareholders of the company who owned Testa shares as of July 31, 2024. The company confirmed that the event will take place in Los Angeles, as previously expected.

Tesla and Uber launch new in-car app integration

The companies have expanded their partnership again by giving Tesla owners the ability to use the Uber app directly from the car display. Once the Uber app is connected to the car, drivers can accept ride requests on their phones, and navigation information is automatically transmitted to the Tesla's central display.