Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, revealed that the electric car giant is on track to achieve fully autonomous vehicles “later this year.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai via video link, Musk expressed confidence in Tesla’s progress toward achieving full self-driving capabilities without human supervision.
“I think we are very close to achieving full self-driving without human supervision,” Musk stated, acknowledging that his previous predictions on this timeline were incorrect.
However, he expressed optimism, saying, “I feel like we’re closer to it than we ever have been.”
Musk indicated that Tesla may achieve what he referred to as “four or five,” the most advanced levels of autonomous driving technology, later this year.
The realization of fully autonomous vehicles has long been an industry milestone eagerly anticipated by enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Tesla’s driver-assistance technology, known as Autopilot, has faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies in the United States, leading to probes and investigations.
China, the world’s largest electric vehicle market, holds significant importance for Tesla.
In April, the company announced plans to construct a second massive factory in Shanghai, further solidifying its presence in the country.
Musk’s appearance at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai reaffirms Tesla’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with China, a vital market for electric vehicles.
With electric vehicles accounting for a quarter of car sales in China, Tesla faces fierce competition from both domestic and Western automakers.
Dozens of new electric vehicle models were unveiled in April at China’s first auto show since the lifting of Covid restrictions, highlighting the growing demand for environmentally friendly transportation options.
While Tesla reported a drop in first-quarter earnings this year and faced pricing pressure from rival automakers, the company remains focused on technological advancements and expanding its market share in the global electric vehicle industry.
