Tesla is in talks with a major automaker to bring Full Self-Driving (FSD), its advanced driver assistance software, to market. An announcement that demonstrates the great ambition of the manufacturer in the automotive sector.
” We don’t try to keep it to ourselves. We are more than happy to license others “said Elon Musk during a call with Tesla investors on the firm’s quarterly results.
An extensive system, but monitored by regulators
The billionaire’s statements are in line with a tweet he posted last month, in which he assured that “Tesla aspires to be as helpful as possible to other automakers “. However, he did not reveal with which brand the discussions were underway.
Available at $15,000 in North America, the FSD is still in beta. The system, which can be used on small roads, is able to control acceleration and deceleration, make turns, while recognizing traffic lights and signs. While he requires drivers to pay attention to the road and take control of the vehicle when asked, Musk has promised level 4 or 5 autonomy for this year.
As we know, the businessman’s announcements are sometimes to be taken with a grain of salt, especially since Tesla’s assisted driving system is closely scrutinized by regulators. Under several investigations because of road accidents, it also led to a large repatriation of vehicles a few months ago.
Tesla also opens its charging port
Nevertheless, Tesla’s efforts to improve its systems have had an impact on the competition. Manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors or Volvo are developing their own level 3 systems, ie capable of controlling the vehicle without driver intervention in certain conditions.
The FSD isn’t the only device Tesla wants to share with rivals. The company has also opened its charging port to other brands, including Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
In the second quarter of 2023, the number one in electric vehicles recorded sales of 24.9 billion dollars, beating analysts’ predictions.
Sources: The Verge, Engadget
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