Will Tesla Robotaxis Live Up To 10 Years Of Development And Hype?

For a decade, Elon Musk has championed the idea that one day Tesla cars will drive themselves as robotaxis. On October 10, the company plans to reveal a “dedicated robotaxi” design at an invitation-only event in Los Angeles.

Despite years of bold predictions and missed deadlines, fans of the company are holding out hope that Musk will finally deliver. Regardless of what the company showcases at its robotaxi day, experts are skeptical of the company’s strategy, citing its Auotpilot and Full Self-Driving technology as a barometer for Tesla’s progress, or lack thereof.

With U.S. EV sales growth slowing, there’s a lot riding on Tesla’s potential pivot to autonomy. CNBC explores whether the company is ready for robotaxis and if Musk’s vision for driverless Teslas will become a reality anytime soon.

Correction:
2:41 The event date is mislabeled. The correct event is the Tesla Annual Shareholder Meeting, which occurred on June 13, 2024.

Chapters:
3:18 Ch 1 - Tesla’s vision for autonomy
6:33 Ch 2 - Full self-driving
10:13 Ch 3 - Realizing the robotaxi
15:34 Ch 4 - Sizing up the robotaxi competition

Produced and Shot by: Andrew Evers
Additional Reporting: Lora Kolodny
Edited by: Andrew Evers, Erin Black
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Additional Camera: Katie Tarasov, Lisa Setyon
Graphics by: Jason Reginato
Narration: Robert Ferris
Additional Footage: Cruise, Getty Images, Tesla, Waymo, Zoox

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Will Tesla Robotaxis Live Up To 10 Years Of Development And Hype?

[flyingdaytrader]

12.5 is amazing, that's the thing with Tesla... it keeps getting better with every update.

[larrydugan]

I just drove my brother's model Y 200 miles on Full FSD. Amazing.
Dirt lanes to Super highways. No intervention required.

[namsmog]

I have used Tesla FSD since 2018. It was scary in city driving but doing good in freeway. And it improved about 1 to 2 percent bettter with every update but still not good enough for me to drive in city street confidently until the last major update which they switch from commmand code to Artificial Inteligent technology. And this is a game changer, it drives really good in city street right now and i use it everyday confidently.

[GuilhermeM]

I have had FSD and I'm surprised with the amount of optimization with every update. After seeing so much improvement and safety I do not doubt that in a few years, the system will be safer than 90% of all human drivers on the road.

[xiaodidi]

I have FSD version 12.5.4 and use it everyday, 90% of my drive, it is comfortable and safe. FSD makes driving relaxing and fun.

[antonykuo]

No way you quote Ark's wood. Her stock is worth 30% of what it was. Even I have made more return than she has in the past 4 years

[MarvinFontanilla]

I used to hate FSD. More importantly, my wife hated it even more because it felt too jittery.

However, the most recent update, 12.5, has been fantastic for both of us. It’s the first time where we both feel comfortable having the car do its thing.

[ahmedlasfar]

I am very happy with FSD supervised. Last weekend, I had the car drive me from my home (long Sault, Ontario) to Syracuse, NY, and back. I only took control at the border crossings. My 2024 Model Y (with FSD ersion 12.5.4) drove me back all the way to my driveway. And I used summon to park it in a tight parking shelter.
Without FSD, at my age of 75, I couldn't do the trip in one day.
Yes, I had to touch the car controls every now and then when I was reminded by the car to pay attention. But hey, I was relaxed, and the car was handling all the lane changes, the steering, the distance, and the speed keeping.
It was doing it all by vision. My return trip was all at night. I had some messages that FSD was reduced because cameras were ocluded but, FSD still worked and brought me to my home safely and confortably.
Thank you Elon, and thank you Tesla. Keep the good work, and keep forging ahead. One day, we will have real FSD.

[dinky]

As someone using FSD 12.5.5, its basically there

[Skyking]

Took delivery of a Model Y the end of July. Thought FSD was a gimmick. It’s not. As someone in their mid-60’s, I’m done with driving if the car can drive itself. I push the right roller wheel, tell the car where I want to go, pull down the right stalk and relax. The only problem are things where other drivers don’t do what they’re suppose to do. Like yesterday, an ole boy pulls on the interstate, I’m in the left lane to pass him but he forgot to turn off his blinker. The car doesn’t know what that car is doing. I completely understand the logic being on the spectrum myself the car thinks exactly like I do about things😏

[mike]

I tried the free trial of FSD on my 21 Model Y, even with the older hardware chip and cameras, it did surprising well with very little interventions. It has a long way to go but with MOJO coming online, the progress will speed up. Remember, all the other companies are having issues too and can only drive on pre-mapped areas, Tesla FSD can drive anywhere, a MUCH harder task!

[Jackolivierbo]

It is one of the most challenging endeavor. Why not respect and Be happy an American company will most likely succeed at it first. And once again take on the world. 😊

[Bortniky]

FSD is incredibly impressive and with the latest updates I use it often. But you absolutely have to be ready to take over. It does make silly mistakes 😊

[Brentonlangaigne_]

YOU SHOULD TRY THE 12.5.5 branch. It's completely hands free, barely requires you to watch the road and is simply amazing. Don't bet against Elon and Tesla

[Celestara]

I love cnbc documentaries they are my go to relaxation 😊

[decourter]

Sounds pretty negative reporting but I have FSD and the latest versions are amazing to me. This is the hardest software application ever attempted to conquer and it takes time.

[MrStrife]

There is so much misinformation in this..

[quinnsmith]

To evil media people, try the new FSD software, you know it’s better. Tell me who else has what Tesla had it now.

[r.jay]

Can’t wait for 10/10 long live Robotaxi 🚖

[ParsaUndead]

Like it or not, the FSD technology is miles ahead of the competition in offering autonomous driving in a passenger vehicle available for purchase today. The latest update doesn't require you to hold the steering wheel anymore either as long as you keep your eyes on the road.