Summary
– Tesla FSD received tentative approval in China as stated by Chinese officials
– Tesla collaborated with Baidu to address mapping and navigation concerns related to FSD in China
– Musk announced plans to release FSD (Supervised) in other countries during TSLA Q1 2024 earning call
– Tesla FSD (Supervised) believed to be capable enough to drive on any roads with country-specific training
– Musk’s visit to China also involved meeting with CATL chairman and Tesla China executives
Article
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently visited China during the Beijing Auto Show, where officials have tentatively approved Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) plans. This approval comes after Tesla resolved concerns about its mapping and navigation functions in China by reportedly partnering with Chinese tech giant Baidu. The collaboration with Baidu is seen as a way to address data-security risks related to FSD. Additionally, Baidu recently announced a partnership with Hyundai to develop car connectivity, autonomous driving, and AI.
During the TSLA Q1 2024 earning call, Musk stated that Tesla plans to release FSD (Supervised) in other countries. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of FSD (Supervised), indicating that with some country-specific training, it could drive on any roads. Musk highlighted the end-to-end neural net-based autonomy of the system, comparing it to human drivers who can operate effectively in various markets. Tesla aims to release FSD (Supervised) in any market where regulatory approval is obtained, including China, with the potential for further enhancements through country-specific training.
Beyond Tesla FSD, Musk’s visit to China included a meeting with Robin Zeng, the chairman of CATL, China’s top battery supplier. Zeng visited Musk at his hotel and had discussions with Tesla China executives Tom Zhu and Grace Tao. The meeting underscores the importance of collaborations and relationships within the electric vehicle industry. This visit suggests a significant interest in the development and innovation of electric vehicles in China, which is the world’s largest market for electric cars.
The approval of Tesla FSD in China marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its autonomous driving capabilities globally. The collaboration with Baidu demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing regulatory and data-security concerns. Musk’s confidence in the adaptability of FSD (Supervised) to different markets highlights Tesla’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology. As Tesla continues to innovate and develop its autonomy system, the approval in China paves the way for future releases in other countries and markets.
The developments in Tesla’s FSD plans highlight the company’s ongoing efforts to refine and enhance its autonomous driving technology. By addressing regulatory requirements and collaborating with industry partners, Tesla is making significant progress in rolling out FSD capabilities worldwide. Musk’s statements during the earning call emphasize the adaptability and versatility of Tesla’s autonomy system, positioning the company as a leader in the autonomous driving space. With the approval in China and plans to release FSD in other countries, Tesla is poised to continue driving innovation in the electric vehicle industry.
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