Tesla has achieved a significant milestone by delivering a Model Y entirely autonomously, marking a pioneering moment in the realm of self-driving technology. The electric crossover successfully navigated a journey of nearly 30 minutes from Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas to its owner’s residence without any occupants on board.
Equipped with advanced robotaxi software, the Model Y had its software updated to Full Self-Driving (Supervised) upon delivery. This autonomous delivery is particularly noteworthy as there was no safety driver present, which distinguishes it from the robotaxis currently operational in Austin, Texas.
The vehicle showcased its capabilities by deftly handling detours and navigating around parked cars during the trip. Tesla CEO Elon Musk emphasized the unprecedented nature of this feat, noting, “There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point.” He claimed, “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully autonomous drive with no people in the car or remotely operating the car on a public highway.”
This innovation could potentially revolutionize vehicle purchasing, paving the way for online car buying experiences where vehicles are delivered directly to customers’ homes. With future over-the-air updates, customers could receive their new cars without needing to visit a dealership, enhancing convenience and efficiency in the car buying process.
Interestingly, this pioneering event comes in the wake of Waymo’s announcement from January 2024 about commencing tests of fully autonomous passenger vehicles without a human driver on freeways in Phoenix. As competition in the autonomous vehicle sphere intensifies, consumers can look forward to increasingly innovative solutions in transportation.
The successful autonomous delivery of the Model Y not only showcases Tesla’s technological advancements but also hints at a future where car ownership could be entirely transformed, making the process seamless and remote.