Tesla’s Driverless Model Y completes Factory-To-Customer Trip
Just days after launching its limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, Tesla demonstrated new progress in self-driving technology. The company allowed a Model Y to drive approximately 15 miles from its factory to the owner’s apartment complex. Elon Musk called this the first true “autonomous delivery” of a customer car. Although the vehicle initially used the same software as Tesla’s robotaxi Model Ys in Austin, it was downgraded to the commercially available Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system upon delivery. This system still requires drivers to remain alert and ready to intervene. Notably, no one was inside the car during the journey, and Musk claimed the car received no remote assistance.
Challenging Drive Through South Austin
The drive covered a complex route through South Austin, including highway merges, right turns on red, a roundabout, and an unprotected left turn. These maneuvers once posed major challenges for autonomous vehicles only a few years ago. Tesla posted a 30-minute video of the trip, along with a sped-up 3.5-minute version. As a former local driver familiar with the area, the journey’s complexity stood out, especially given the real-time traffic conditions. Tesla isn’t alone in tackling such environments; Waymo has tested autonomous vehicles on highways in multiple cities, and Zoox recently demonstrated driverless rides on mixed roads in Las Vegas.
Questions Remain About Safety and Preparation
While Tesla’s video is impressive, it raises important questions. For example, what safety measures and preparations took place before the vehicle left the factory? The stunt serves as a strong marketing move amid Tesla’s upcoming second-quarter delivery and financial reports, which are expected to reflect recent sales declines. Despite a recent drop in Tesla’s stock, Musk’s announcement briefly boosted market confidence. Ultimately, Tesla’s autonomous delivery highlights the company’s progress but also underscores the ongoing challenges in fully driverless technology.
