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Tesla FSD opportunity: China launches smart expressway designed for Level 4 self-driving
The stars seem to be aligning for Tesla FSD Beta’s upcoming rollout in China. Apart from the EV maker’s apparent preparations for the upcoming rollout of FSD Beta to the domestic market, China is also ramping its efforts to prepare its infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.
While Tesla’s FSD Beta program has been around for almost three years in the United States, the initiative is yet to be rolled out in China. Over the past months, however, there have been apparent signs that the advanced driver-assist solution is being prepared for a rollout in the country.
Back in August, a report from Chinese publication 36kr suggested that Tesla was looking to form a local operations team that would be tasked to bring FSD to the domestic market. The report also noted that Tesla would be setting up a data labeling team in China comprised of hundreds of workers. More recently, speculations suggested that FSD Beta would make its debut in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
I once discussed the timeline for FSD entering China with senior Tesla executives. Their response was that it would require waiting for the relevant autonomous driving laws and regulations in China to be finalized. Tesla China is also assisting the relevant authorities in…— Tesla China Analyst (@teslashanghai) October 7, 2023
China is already the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. And as per recent reports, it appears that the country is also investing its resources to prepare for the advent of autonomous cars. As per a report from Xinhua News, China recently opened a 56-km (34-mile) smart expressway designed for self-driving vehicles.
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China inaugurated a 56km express way for Level 4 autonomous driving
"Starting from July 1, the three-month upgrade installed 270 sets of sensing devices, including laser radars, millimeter-wave radars, cameras, and antennas, at 55 locations along the expressway, ensuring a… https://t.co/F1CKhQnf5N— ❤️ Ale?andra Merz (@TeslaBoomerMama) October 16, 2023
The expressway is situated near the city of Suzhou, in the eastern province of Jiangsu, and it features 270 sets of sensing devices, including laser radars, millimeter-wave radars, cameras, and antennas. A 6.5-km (4-mile) section of the expressway is specifically designed for Level 4 autonomous cars, which can perform all driving functions except in certain conditions.
A 56-km smart expressway, designed for level 4 autonomous driving, has started operating as a test section near east China's Suzhou. #China #technology #self-driving pic.twitter.com/6waHGmeWS4— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) October 16, 2023
In a demonstration test, a 49-ton unmanned truck was able to successfully identify obstacles on the road, including moving cars. The vehicle was also able to complete driving behaviors such as ramp entry, lane changes, and overtaking maneuvers. Interestingly enough, such capabilities are present in FSD Beta despite the system still being widely considered as a Level 2 solution.
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Tesla is ramping its hiring for Cybercab vehicle manufacturing roles
A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing.
Tesla is accelerating preparations for its upcoming Cybercab by rapidly expanding its hiring efforts in Austin, Texas.
A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing. The spike in listings suggests that Tesla may be gearing up for a production ramp of its fully autonomous two-seater at Giga Texas.
New Cybercab job listings
Tesla’s Careers page now features several new roles that appear crucial to the Cybercab’s buildout. Among the most recent additions are openings for Engineering Technicians for the Cybercab’s drive units, battery pack, and general assembly, as well as positions for Equipment Technicians for the vehicle’s production lines.
Earlier this month, Tesla only had three openings related to the autonomous two-seater’s manufacturing. Even then, it was already exciting as the Cybercab would be produced using Tesla’s “Unboxed” manufacturing process. This process is designed to make the Cybercab easier and quicker to produce.
Similar to previous Cybercab-related job listings, all of the openings are currently based in Austin, Texas. This suggests that for now, at least, the production of the Cybercab will really be focused on Giga Texas to start.
Ultra-fast Cybercab production targets
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has described the Cybercab as the company’s highest-volume vehicle yet, targeting an annual production rate of around 2 million units. He added that the Cybercab line will operate more like a “high-speed consumer electronics” assembly process than a conventional car factory.
“If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
Elon Musk
Memphis to use xAI taxes for neighborhood improvements: “Truly a blessing”
City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.
The City of Memphis has collected all taxes owed by Elon Musk’s xAI before the payment deadline, creating a $3.2 million special revenue fund to support communities affected by the company’s operations.
City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.
Directing xAI funds toward community projects
Mayor Paul Young’s administration recently outlined how the funds will be allocated. The initiative was focused on improving infrastructure and quality of life in neighborhoods impacted by xAI’s construction and operations.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton emphasized that the process will include public input, with surveys already distributed to residents to guide spending priorities, according to ABC24.
“With that ordinance, we are in the near future getting ready to set up the committee because this is the people’s money,” Cooper-Sutton said. “We wanna make sure that it is used for the people.”
Officials noted that they are planning to present a final proposal to the entire council after reviewing community feedback. Cooper-Sutton added that the program represents a step toward ensuring businesses operating in Memphis treat residents “fairly and with equality.”
“It is truly, truly a blessing. What we are doing here at this body and this council, we wanna make sure that whatever business that comes here, that the people are treated fairly and with equality,” she stated.
xAI partnership fuels local job opportunities
Beyond tax revenue, xAI’s growing presence is expected to bolster Memphis’ workforce development goals. Earlier this month, the artificial intelligence startup co-hosted a job fair at Crosstown Concourse with the American Job Center to connect residents with new employment pathways.
“We know that jobs are coming. We know that talent is here,” Melody Freemon, executive director of the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board, stated. “We wanna make sure we’re not just putting people in any ole jobs. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability and something they can rely on in the future.”
Freemon also noted that the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board was able to make a favorable offer to xAI. “We promised that we can provide a pipeline. This is the central hub for connection. This is where job seekers are, so let us take the headache off of your hiring needs. Come here, let us source the people and make sure that we meet the demand,” Freeman stated.
News
The Boring Company’s self-driving Teslas impress riders with smooth, hands-free rides
The electric vehicles, which currently shuttle visitors between key destinations on the Strip, could soon extend service all the way to the airport.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is making waves underground. Passengers who recently rode in The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Loop described the experience as “way smoother than a human driving,” with no manual input from a driver at all.
The electric vehicles, which currently shuttle visitors between key destinations on the Strip, could soon extend service all the way to the airport.
Controlled FSD testing
In late August, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill stated that Tesla’s FSD-equipped vehicles have been undergoing testing in the Boring Company tunnels for several months. These tests are conducted under strict supervision and have not involved regular passengers until recently.
Recent comments about the Boring Company’s driverless Teslas were shared on X by @alifarhat6_ali, who was able to try out the service for himself. As per the Tesla enthusiast, FSD drives much smoother than human drivers inside the Boring Company Las Vegas tunnels. The safety monitor also reportedly noted that the service should soon expand to the airport.
“I rode in the new self driving Tesla in the Las Vegas Loop! It was WAY smoother than a human driving in the Loop. Zero human input. It wasn’t busy so he let us ride back as well. Driver said they soon will be giving rides all the way to the airport. We are in the future,” the X user wrote in a post.
Elon Musk hints at fully driverless Teslas
Earlier this month, Elon Musk posted on X that “The Tesla cars operating in The Boring Company tunnels under Las Vegas will be driverless in a month or two.” This suggests that the Boring Company tunnels in Las Vegas may end up being one of the first locations where actual driverless Teslas will be serving regular customers.
In a way, the deployment of fully driverless Teslas could be perfect for the Las Vegas tunnels. The underground environment should be ideal for Tesla’s autonomous software as it offers predictable routes and traffic, minimal external hazards, and stable lighting conditions that benefit sensor performance.
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