Tesla sets 2027 deadline for unsupervised driving

Tesla has set a new deadline of the second quarter of 2027 for its vehicles to drive unsupervised, according to Ashok Elluswamy, head of AI at Tesla. This applies only to neighborhoods served by the Robotaxi service, which operates in six American metropolitan areas, often on a small part of the city, with cars mainly driving at low speeds, away from highways.

Cybercab launch faces regulatory scrutiny

The company plans to deliver its first Cybercab to customers before the end of 2026, despite an investigation opened by the American regulator, the NHTSA, following the first paid rides of the Cybercab in Austin in early September. The NHTSA is examining how Tesla certified a two-seater without a steering wheel or pedals, as the manufacturer did not request any exemptions.

Tesla’s financial performance shows mixed results

Tesla's third-quarter revenue remained stable at $28.05 billion, but its net profit declined by 43 percent, to $787 million, with an operating margin of 2.6 percent. The company attributes the 2 percent year-on-year decline in car deliveries, which totaled 486,532 vehicles, to a shortage of batteries.

Research spending rises to support AI and robotics

Research expenses increased by 69 percent, to $2.76 billion, to fund AI and the Optimus robot. Management has slowed down on customer car production but accelerated the sale of its driverless Robotaxi, which lacks a steering wheel or pedals.

FSD software access remains limited

Owners of vehicles equipped with the HW3 computer have paid for Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, but Tesla has warned them that their cars will not be able to run the unsupervised version. In France, Tesla drivers still do not have access to the supervised version of FSD, which nine European countries have authorized before a vote by the Union planned for December.

Cybercab’s design limits personal use

Buyers of the Cybercab will never be able to drive it, as it lacks a steering wheel and pedals. Lars Moravy, vice president in charge of vehicle engineering, set a much closer deadline for the Cybercab, stating the company is trying to deliver it to customers by the end of 2026.

Elon Musk outlines Cybercab’s primary use

Elon Musk noted that most of these two-seaters will belong to Tesla and serve its ride-hailing service. Tesla has until October 30 to respond to the NHTSA investigation. Ashok Elluswamy emphasized the need for all regulatory authorizations to deploy the Cybercab as quickly as possible.

Regulatory and safety challenges persist

In the San Francisco Bay, Tesla keeps a safety driver on board each vehicle due to not wanting to transmit its data to the California vehicle authority. Elluswamy hopes to resolve the security issues causing these restrictions next year. At the Paris Motor Show, a golden Cybercab was displayed on Tesla's stand, but it was stationary, as its circulation is not authorized on French roads.