Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company is on the brink of achieving full self-driving capability without human intervention. Speaking via video link at an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai, China, Musk expressed optimism about the progress of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
Musk speculated that Tesla might reach what he referred to as “four or five,” the most advanced levels of autonomous driving technology, later this year. However, he acknowledged that this was speculative and admitted to having been incorrect with previous predictions on this timeline. Despite past missed deadlines, Musk stated, “I feel like we’re closer to it than we ever have been,” (via France24).
Tesla’s driver-assistance technology has previously sparked regulatory probes in the United States, and the company has missed its own deadlines for a fully autonomous vehicle. Despite these challenges, Tesla continues to invest in China, the world’s largest electric vehicle market. In April, Tesla announced plans to build a second massive factory in Shanghai.
Musk’s participation in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai underscores his ongoing efforts to maintain close ties with China, following a visit to the country in May. Electric vehicles account for a quarter of car sales in China, and numerous new models from both domestic and Western brands were unveiled at the country’s first auto show since Covid restrictions were lifted in April.
Tesla, along with other Chinese EV automakers, also pledged to end the ongoing price war started by Musk’s company.
Despite facing competition from other automakers, which led to a series of price cuts and a drop in first-quarter earnings this year, Tesla remains committed to its vision of autonomous driving. The company recently reported a record Q2 for production and deliveries and will share its earnings report later this month.
