The debate over Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions has intensified, with Zoox co-founder Jesse Levinson throwing cold water on the electric vehicle giant’s plans. Speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 event in San Francisco, Levinson asserted that Tesla’s technology is not yet ready for driverless deployment in California.
Levinson, whose company is set to launch its own custom-built robotaxi in San Francisco and Las Vegas, argued that Tesla’s reliance on cameras and AI alone is insufficient for true autonomy. He emphasized the need for a more robust sensor suite to create a truly safe and reliable self-driving system.
“By works, I want to differentiate between a driver assistance system that drives most the time except when it doesn’t and then you have to take over versus a system that’s so reliable and robust that you don’t need a person in it,” Levinson explained. He further criticized Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which he described as impressive but “stressful,” due to its occasional lapses in judgement.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has not shied away from responding to Levinson’s criticism. In a tweet, Musk challenged Levinson’s claims, suggesting that Zoox would have failed without Amazon’s acquisition. Musk remains confident in Tesla’s FSD capabilities, stating that future software iterations will enable true autonomy.
The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving fully autonomous driving. While Tesla aims to launch a ride-hailing service in Texas and California next year, regulatory approval and safety concerns remain significant hurdles. The company has stated that some vehicles in this service may still require human drivers, depending on state regulations.
Zoox, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with its own robotaxi rollout. The company plans to begin public rides in its driverless vehicles next year, offering a glimpse into the future of autonomous transportation. This ongoing rivalry between Tesla and Zoox underscores the fierce competition and the rapid evolution of the autonomous vehicle industry.
