Tesla Shuts Down Project Dojo: What It Means for Autonomous Driving
Recent reports have brought to light the news that Tesla has decided to halt its Project Dojo initiative. Initially perceived as a setback for the electric vehicle giant’s autonomous driving ambitions, CEO Elon Musk clarified on X that the company was indeed putting a stop to its Dojo project.
Elon Musk’s Explanation
According to Musk, Tesla made the decision to discontinue Project Dojo because it didn’t align with the company’s strategy of focusing on a single AI chip design. Project Dojo was specifically created to train Tesla’s autonomous driving software and was not intended for integration into the company’s consumer products.
In a series of tweets on X, Musk highlighted the rationale behind using Tesla’s AI5/AI6 chips for training the Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot systems. He emphasized the efficiency of consolidating resources by utilizing a cluster of AI5/AI6 chips for training purposes, rather than deploying a separate system like Dojo.
Tesla’s AI5 and AI6 chips are set to be incorporated into upcoming consumer products, including the Optimus, Cybercab, and the next-generation Roadster.
AI6: The Successor to Dojo
Musk’s mention of using AI5/AI6 chips for training sparked interest in the tech community, with some likening this approach to a new iteration of Project Dojo. Former Apple and Rivian employee Phil Beisel pointed out that “AI6 is now Dojo,” suggesting that Tesla’s AI6 chip would inherit the capabilities of the discontinued Dojo project.
Beisel elaborated on the similarities between the D1 chip used in Dojo and the AI5/AI6 chips, highlighting their shared design elements and parallel processing capabilities. He proposed that Dojo’s legacy would live on through the development and implementation of the AI6 chip.
Elon Musk endorsed Beisel’s insights, indicating his enthusiasm for Tesla’s AI6 chip, which is anticipated to be manufactured at Samsung’s forthcoming fabrication facility in Texas. Musk expressed his commitment to overseeing the production of Tesla’s AI6 computers by personally supervising operations at Samsung’s facility.