Latest news with #TeslaInc
NDTV
32 minutes ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Elon Musk Says First Tesla Drove Itself From Factory to Customer
Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said a Tesla Model Y SUV drove itself from the company's factory near Austin to a customer's home in the company's latest move to showcase its push into autonomous driving. In a post on X, Musk announced the company had made an autonomous delivery of a Tesla Model Y from factory to a customer's home, noting the delivery was made "across town," and included highways. Musk said the delivery did not include anyone in the car and no remote operators were in control of the car. While the post did not include video or images, Musk posted that video of the event would come soon. World's first autonomous delivery of a car! This Tesla drove itself from Gigafactory Texas to its new owner's home ~30min away — crossing parking lots, highways & the city to reach its new owner — Tesla (@Tesla) June 28, 2025 Tesla's head of AI and autopilot, Ashok Elluswamy said the vehicle reached a max speed of 72 miles per hour. The delivery was one day ahead of the date Musk had earlier set for the first autonomous delivery, June 28, which will be his 54th birthday. Tesla's first autonomous delivery highlights Musk's bet that artificial intelligence and robotics represent the future of his electric car company. It comes days after Tesla began its long-awaited robotaxi service on June 22, offering a select group of influencers and investors rides in a small fleet of self-driving Model Y SUVs in a limited area of Austin. Musk previewed both events in a post earlier this month on X, and has said the company plans to eventually have millions of robotaxis on the road in the future. Musk is counting on eventually churning out large numbers of robotaxis and Optimus humanoid robots to underpin the EV company's next chapter. Sales in key markets including North America and Europe remain sluggish and the company has faced a consumer backlash to Musk's role in US President Donald Trump's administration. Multiple executives have also left the company in recent weeks. The hands-free delivery is an extension of a capability Tesla touted in April, when it posted a videoshowing cars moving autonomously from its Texas assembly lines to logistics lots prior to shipping. It's unclear whether autonomous deliveries will become a meaningful part of Tesla's operations. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Tesla invited influencers to test its robotaxi. Here's what they had to say
For now, the test vehicles are operating in a limited area. — Reuters AUSTIN: A handpicked group of passengers invited for early rides from Tesla Inc's autonomous, nearly driverless ride-hailing service seemed to like it. But video some posted to social media suggests the automaker's system struggles to comply with traffic laws. Some passengers were wowed by the car's ability to slow for speed bumps, an ambulance or to avoid hitting a pedestrian. One said it did just as well after sundown as during the day. Another was wild about what it may mean for the Austin-based automaker's future. "I was completely mind blown that the same car I can buy today starting at around $38k – which also happens to be the best selling car in the world – just did paid driverless rides around Austin, TX without someone behind the steering wheel and pedal," X user @farzyness posted after three rides in one of the Model Y vehicles being used as robotaxis – which actually start at more than US$50,000 (RM 212,199) , according to "The implications from this are far-reaching and very disruptive. This breaks transportation." He was among a handful of online Tesla influencers – fans who post regularly about the company on social media– who received invitations to download the Robotaxi app and try the company's service Sunday in Austin. It's not available yet to the general public. Rival Waymo already has deployed driverless taxis in Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego and other cities using a different technology that allowed it to get to market faster. It recently completed its 10 millionth paid ride and has begun testing in San Antonio and other cities. Other companies also are testing in Austin. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made the robotaxi program a priority, and any trouble with it could be highly damaging to the company's stock price, which had tumbled 20% this year. Last Sunday's limited rollout appeared to give it a boost, though, with the share price rocketing at Monday's opening bell. It closed up more than 8% and was up slightly in after-hours trading. Also among the passengers was Rob Maurer, an investor whose live ride video shows the Model Y he's in entering an intersection in a left-turn-only lane. The Tesla hesitates to make the turn, swerves right and continues into an unoccupied lane meant for traffic moving in the opposite direction. A honking horn can be heard as the robotaxi returns to the correct lane over a double-yellow line, a violation. Other riders shared videos of Tesla robotaxis exceeding the posted speed limit by 4 or 5 mph (6.43kph or 8kph). For now, the test vehicles are operating in a limited area. The current geofence area goes as far south as Ben White Boulevard and US 290, west to Texas State Loop 1, north to Cesar Chavez Street and east to US 183. According to CEO Elon Musk, Sunday's trial had a flat fee of US$4.20 (RM18) for the select group. It was unclear if Tesla paid for the influencers' trips to Austin, their robotaxi fares or for social media posts about the service. The company hasn't responded to requests for comment. "As an Early Access Rider, you can be among the first to use our new Robotaxi App and experience a ride within our geofenced area in Austin," the invitations said. "Through this exclusive preview, you'll have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback." Though there was no one behind the wheel, information sent with the invitations indicated front-seat human safety monitors – Tesla employees riding with Sunday's invitees – would be subject to the same restrictions as drivers of Tesla models with the so-called Full Self-Driving system. That means the cabin camera was watching the monitor's eyes to make sure they're on the road and, presumably, warn them if they're not. A few of the videos posted Sunday showed monitors turned around to look at a passenger in the back seats. – San Antonio Express-News/Tribune News Service
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Tesla's $800 Billion Robotaxi Dream Is Finally Facing Reality
Unlike us mere mortals, time is usually on Tesla Inc.'s side. The launch of its robotaxi service this week has inverted that, and at a moment of particular weakness for the company. When it comes to Tesla's push for dominance in autonomous vehicles, the handful of Model Y robotaxis now offering paid rides in Austin represents a milestone. But it is also a millstone because of how Tesla is doing autonomy and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's long history of overpromising on its capabilities. Tesla's pitch is that the vehicles it sells already have the hardware needed to be robotaxis and that its self-driving software, trained on a vast fleet of existing cars driven by unpaid beta testers, can handle virtually any situation. Yet the Austin launch has been defined less by its boundless potential and more by its boundaries, operating in a limited area, with invite-only customers and a 'safety monitor' in each vehicle.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
India opens new application window to invite global EV manufacturers
In a push to promote electric vehicle manufacturing in India, a new portal has been launched for the application process under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI). The initiative, unveiled by Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy, invites global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to invest and set up local production units. 'The launch of this portal under the SPMEPCI scheme opens new avenues for global electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in India's rapidly evolving automotive landscape,' Kumaraswamy said. Investment from international EV makers can position India as a leading manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. 'This scheme not only supports our national commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070, but also reinforces our resolve to build a sustainable, innovation-driven economy. It strengthens the pillars of 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and positions India as a trusted global hub for next-generation automotive manufacturing and technology leadership,' the minister said. Reliefs linked to investment pledge under SPMEPCI Approved applicants will be allowed to import Completely Built Units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers (e-4Ws). The imported CBUs must have a minimum CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of $35,000. These will be subject to a reduced customs duty of 15 per cent. The concessional duty will be applicable for a period of five years from the date of approval. Approved applicants will be required to make a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore, as per the provisions of the scheme. Tesla stays away, others join in With the minimum investment threshold of ₹4,150 crore, the scheme is expected to encourage top global and Indian companies to set up long-term manufacturing in India. While Tesla Inc has not shown interest in India's scheme to attract global investment in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, global automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Škoda Auto Volkswagen, Hyundai Motor, and Kia Motors are keen to participate, Kumaraswamy said. Embassies tapped to boost EV drive India is reaching out to countries like the US, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Vietnam, as well as their respective embassies, to attract investment from global automotive companies to manufacture electric vehicles in India. A four-month window will be given for these companies to apply for SPMEPCI. As of now, Tesla has not shown interest in participating in the scheme. 'Ultimately, we will know which global automakers come on board by October 21,' said Kamran Rizvi, secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Mint
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Centre weighing incentives to boost rare earth processing, says govt official
New Delhi: India's rare earth processing capabilities are likely to receive government support, a senior official said on Tuesday, adding that efforts are underway to source rare earth magnets from countries such as Vietnam and Japan. "The total quantum of investment needed for a rare earth processing is being worked out, how much support will be needed is being worked out. Stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and there have been a variety of responses. Some want 50% incentive, some want 20%," the official said, adding that the proposed support would cover processing rare earth oxides into magnets. The official clarified that the government intends to incentivize the processing of rare earth elements, not the sourcing of raw materials. Responding to a query about alternative sources for rare earth magnets in light of China's export restrictions, the official said, "Rare earths are available in Japan and Vietnam, and efforts are going on to bring it from there." Mint had reported on 17 June that the government is planning to offer grants to private companies for rare earth processing, targeting a 10% share of the global processing capacity. At the same event, heavy industries minister HD Kumaraswamy launched a portal for the implementation of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI). The programme aims to attract foreign electric vehicle (EV) makers by offering reduced import duties on fully built electric cars for five years, provided they establish manufacturing facilities in India. Speaking at the launch, Kumaraswamy said US-based Tesla Inc has not altered its stance on investing in India. "There is no further development about Tesla," he said. "They want to sell their cars and have shown interest in opening showrooms." The ministry expects foreign automakers to apply for benefits under SPMEPCI within the next four months. The portal, which went live on Tuesday, will accept applications until 21 October. To be sure, the portal may be opened again if necessary, but only up to 15 March 2026, officials said at the briefing. The official also said the government is actively engaging with global automakers and foreign embassies to attract participation. "We are trying to get the best people to participate. So, we have written to all the major global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and we have written to embassies of major automotive countries we know of. In Asia, it would be Vietnam. In Europe, it will be Germany and Czechoslovakia. Also, the US and the UK." Under the scheme, foreign EV makers must invest a minimum ₹ 4,150 crore (approximately $500 million) in plant and machinery, and roll out a locally manufactured vehicle within three years. Within the same period, automakers must achieve 25% localisation, increasing to 50% over the subsequent two years. For five years, participating companies can import up to 8,000 completely built-up (CBU) units each year for five years at a reduced import duty of 15%, compared to the standard duty of at least 70%. According to guidelines notified by the ministry on 2 June, companies may allocate up to 5% of their total investment toward EV charging infrastructure. Investments in research and development will also count toward total investment requirements. The same day, minister Kumaraswamy had said that foreign automakers Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Hyundai, and Skoda-Volkswagen had shown interest in the scheme during consultations.
