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Tesla FSD’s vision-based approach critiqued by Waymo CEO: ‘Our sensors are orders of magnitude better’

(Credit: WHAT'S INSIDE? FAMILY/YouTube)

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Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta may be improving at a rapid pace since its first iteration was released back in October, but Waymo CEO John Krafcik seems to be under the impression that there is a ceiling for the electric car maker’s current autonomous driving efforts. In an interview with German business publication manager magazin, Krafcik stated that Tesla is not a competitor to Waymo, as the EV maker’s tech is just a “really good driver assistance system.”

Waymo’s vehicles, which are equipped with a variety of sensors including LiDAR, are designed to be operated without a human driver. The company has even requested its passengers to not touch its autonomous cars’ steering wheel while the vehicles are operating. In comparison, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta, as well as the company’s tech Navigate on Autopilot, still requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel to prepare for manual intervention. 

Tesla aims to develop a full self-driving suite through a vision-based system that relies on incremental improvements that are rolled out over time. Through constant updates that are built on real-world driving data gathered from its fleet, Tesla hopes to roll out a version of its FSD suite that would truly be a hands-off system. Once this is achieved, the EV maker aims to launch its own ride-hailing service, dubbed by Elon Musk as the Robotaxi Network. 

This, according to the Waymo CEO, is a misconception. He also remarked that between Tesla’s camera-based approach and Waymo’s more robust sensor suite, his company’s sensors hold a massive advantage over Tesla’s electric cars. “It is a misconception that you can just keep developing a driver assistance system until one day you can magically leap to a fully autonomous driving system. In terms of robustness and accuracy, for example, our sensors are orders of magnitude better than what we see on the road from other manufacturers,” Krafcik said

One of the notable arguments against Waymo’s autonomous vehicles is their cost, especially considering that their sensor suite includes expensive components. The CEO, however, notes that the cost of its vehicles is actually overestimated, especially as the price of sensors such as LiDAR has gotten significantly lower over the years. Today, Krafcik notes that the cost of a Waymo autonomous car is on the same ballpark as a moderately-equipped Mercedes-Benz S-Class. 

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“Let me paraphrase it like this: If we equip a Chrysler Pacifica Van or a Jaguar I-Pace with our sensors and computers, it costs no more than a moderately equipped Mercedes S-Class. So for the entire package, including the car – today. The costs for the technology are greatly overestimated – at least in our case” he said. 

Krafcik noted that he expects the hardware cost per mile of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to come in at around $0.30 per mile before maintenance and service costs, including fleet technicians and customer support representatives. In comparison, ride-hailing services today such as Uber and Lyft operate at around $2-$3 per mile. Tesla, on the other hand, expects an $0.18 per mile operating cost for its Robotaxi Network, as per the company’s estimates during its Autonomy Day presentation in 2019. 

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla sales soar in Norway with new Model Y leading the charge

Tesla recorded a 54% year-over-year jump in new vehicle registrations in June.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is seeing strong momentum in Norway, with sales of the new Model Y helping the company maintain dominance in one of the world’s most electric vehicle-friendly markets.

Model Y upgrades and consumer preferences

According to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), Tesla recorded a 54% year-over-year jump in new vehicle registrations in June. The Model Y led the charge, posting a 115% increase compared to the same period last year. Tesla Norway’s growth was even more notable in May, with sales surging a whopping 213%, as noted in a CNBC report.

Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association (NEVA), stated that Tesla’s strong market performance was partly due to the updated Model Y, which is really just a good car, period.

“I think it just has to do with the fact that they deliver a car which has quite a lot of value for money and is what Norwegians need. What Norwegians need, a large luggage space, all wheel drive, and a tow hitch, high ground clearance as well. In addition, quite good digital solutions which people have gotten used to, and also a charging network,” she said.

Tesla in Europe

Tesla’s success in Norway is supported by long-standing government incentives for EV adoption, including exemptions from VAT, road toll discounts, and access to bus lanes. Public and home charging infrastructure is also widely available, making the EV ownership experience in the country very convenient.

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Tesla’s performance in Europe is still a mixed bag, with markets like Germany and France still seeing declines in recent months. In areas such as Norway, Spain, and Portugal, however, Tesla’s new car registrations are rising. Spain’s sales rose 61% and Portugal’s sales rose 7% last month. This suggests that regional demand may be stabilizing or rebounding in pockets of Europe.

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Tesla to open first India experience center in Mumbai on July 15

The event is scheduled for July 15 at the Bandra Kurla Complex, a premier business district in Mumbai.

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Credit: Narendra Modi/X
Credit: Narendra Modi/X

Tesla is officially entering India with the opening of its first showroom and experience center in Mumbai next week. The event is scheduled for July 15 at the Bandra Kurla Complex, a premier business district in Mumbai.

Tesla imports to India signal an early-stage market entry strategy

According to Indian customs data, Tesla has imported approximately $1 million worth of vehicles, charging equipment, and merchandise into the country between January and June. The shipments include six Model Y comprised of five standard variants valued at $32,500 each and one long-range model valued at $46,000. Several Superchargers and related accessories were also imported into the country, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.

These vehicles are expected to serve as display models and test units as Tesla gauges interest and navigates India’s high import duties, which hover around 70% on fully built vehicles. Despite the significant tariffs in the country, Tesla has opted to begin its India expansion with imported cars.

An invitation to the Tesla India launch event has been making the rounds online. As could be seen in the document, Tesla noted that July 15 would be the launch of Tesla in India through the opening of a Tesla experience centre at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Tesla India’s hiring and expansion efforts are underway

Tesla has filled a number of key roles from the 30+ positions it advertised earlier this year. Recent hires include store managers, service executives, and sales staff, while ongoing recruitment is focused on supply chain engineers and vehicle operators to support the company’s Autopilot program.

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Indian officials have been open about their intention to encourage Tesla to establish a manufacturing hub in the country. Tesla does seem open to the idea, at least, with reports last year hinting that Elon Musk was set to visit the country to discuss or even potentially announce a domestic project. The trip, however, was ultimately canceled.

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Tesla begins Robotaxi certification push in Arizona: report

Tesla seems serious about expanding its Robotaxi service to several states in the coming months.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has initiated discussions with Arizona transportation regulators to certify its driverless Robotaxi service in the state, as per a recent report from Bloomberg News. The move follows Tesla’s launch of its Robotaxi pilot program in Austin, Texas, as well as CEO Elon Musk’s recent comments about the service’s expansion in the Bay Area.

The Arizona Department of Transportation confirmed to Bloomberg that Tesla has reached out to begin the certification process for autonomous ride-sharing operations in the state. While details remain limited, the outreach suggests that Tesla is serious about expanding its driverless Robotaxi service to several territories in the coming months.

The Arizona development comes as Tesla prepares to expand its service area in Austin this weekend, as per CEO Elon Musk in a post on X. Musk also stated that Tesla is targeting the San Francisco Bay Area as its next major market, with a potential launch “in a month or two,” pending regulatory approvals.

Tesla first launched its autonomous ride-hailing program on June 22 in Austin with a small fleet of Model Y vehicles, accompanied by a Tesla employee in the passenger seat to monitor safety. While still classified as a test, Musk has said the program will expand to about 1,000 vehicles in the coming months. Tesla will later upgrade its Robotaxi fleet with the Cyercab, a two-seater that is designed without a steering wheel.

Sightings of Cybercab castings around the Giga Texas complex suggests that Tesla may be ramping the initial trial production of the self-driving two-seater. Tesla, for its part, has noted in the past that volume production of the Cybercab is expected to start sometime next year.

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In California, Tesla has already applied for a transportation charter-party carrier permit from the state’s Public Utilities Commission. The company is reportedly taking a phased approach to operating in California, with the Robotaxi service starting with pre-arranged rides for employees in vehicles with safety drivers.

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