Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made bold statements regarding the upcoming launch of the automaker’s Robotaxi platform, claiming that it will compel other companies to license Full Self-Driving in order to achieve their own autonomy goals. This declaration comes in the wake of a video capturing the first Tesla Robotaxi test mules on public streets in Austin, Texas, just a day after the city officially listed Tesla as an autonomous vehicle operator.
Investing YouTube personality and Tesla community member Dave Lee predicted that by the end of the year, at least one automaker will license Full Self-Driving from Tesla. Lee explained that committing to FSD licensing would require the integration of hardware and software, with a timeline of approximately two years to tackle engineering and design challenges.
Musk expressed his skepticism towards other automakers’ efforts in achieving vehicle autonomy, stating that many are being misled into believing that Robotaxi is not a reality or that purchasing hardware from Nvidia will resolve their issues. He emphasized that as Tesla’s Robotaxi becomes more prevalent and competitors’ solutions fail, these companies will inevitably turn to Tesla for assistance.
The video of the Robotaxi test mules in Austin sparked speculation and anticipation for Tesla’s imminent Robotaxi platform launch. While Bloomberg reported a potential launch date of June 12, Tesla has not officially confirmed this information. The company has hinted at discussions with a major automaker for licensing Full Self-Driving, emphasizing the necessity of smart cars equipped with FSD to remain competitive in the market.
Many speculate that Ford may be the automaker in talks with Tesla for FSD licensing, given Musk’s relationship with Ford’s Jim Farley, which previously led to Ford adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard. This move established Tesla as a leader in charging infrastructure and prompted other companies to follow suit.
As Tesla prepares to roll out its Robotaxi platform, companies may face a similar decision to adopt FSD licensing in order to stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of the market. Musk’s confidence in Tesla’s technology and the potential impact of Robotaxi on the industry suggests that licensing FSD may become a necessity for automakers looking to maintain relevance in the autonomous vehicle landscape.