Elon Musk Podcast

Tesla Exec says FSD years behind Waymo

May 23, 2025
Dive into the world of autonomous driving as experts weigh in on Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology, revealing it lags behind Waymo's impressive capabilities. Explore the market impact of this revelation on consumer trust and Tesla's aspirations for a robo-taxi service. Additionally, discover the challenges posed by declining sales in Europe and China, linking them to controversies that muddle the brand's eco-friendly image. A thought-provoking examination of technology, perception, and the future of transportation!
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INSIGHT

Tesla vs Waymo Tech Gap

  • Tesla's full self-driving technology lags Google's Waymo by years due to fundamental technical choices.
  • Tesla chose a camera-only approach, while Waymo uses expensive LiDAR sensors for better accuracy and safety.
INSIGHT

Cost-Performance Trade-Off in Sensors

  • LiDAR prices have dropped under $1,000 making them accessible for low-cost electric vehicles.
  • Despite this, Tesla sticks with cameras, which face limitations in lighting and object detection.
INSIGHT

Impact of Tesla's FSD Issues

  • Tesla's struggles with autonomous driving undermine consumer confidence in EVs industry-wide.
  • Repeated missed self-driving deadlines reduce trust in Tesla's brand and autonomous tech promises.
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