A Tesla Model X testing mule was spotted in Northern California ahead of the company’s upcoming Robotaxi event on October 10 — but it was outfitted with a LiDAR rig, something that the company has been clear that it does not believe is necessary for Full Self-Driving.
Tesla has taken a Vision-based approach with its electric vehicles, phasing out everything from LiDAR to even ultrasonic sensors, its most recently shunned technology. Tesla utilizes exterior cameras for its Full Self-Driving suite, and CEO Elon Musk has been clear that it will not need anything more than that to succeed in this venture:
At Tesla Autonomy Day in 2019, Musk said:
“LiDAR is a fool’s errand. And anyone relying on LiDAR is doomed.”
Earlier this year, Musk said Tesla did not need LiDAR for ground truth data any longer:
We don’t need them even for that anymore
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 8, 2024
It appears Tesla is still using it, however, for some data collection or potentially for vision validation, as images shared with Teslarati show that a Model X Engineering Vehicle was spotted in Northern California:
This LiDAR rig has been seen on several Tesla vehicles, including a Model Y in Palm Beach in 2021:
Spotted in Palm Beach, Florida. A @Tesla Model Y with #LiDAR and CA Manufacturing (MFG) Plates. Can anyone offer details/insights? pic.twitter.com/5Uh4WU0U41
— Grayson Brulte (@gbrulte) May 20, 2021
Here’s another Model Y in 2020 that had what looks like the exact same rig on it:
Credit: You You Xue/Twitter
The LiDAR product on the top of these vehicles appears to be the Luminar Hydra:
Tesla is set to unveil its Robotaxi on October 10 after delaying the event from August 8. There were a few things that needed to be revised, including a front-end design change and extra time to show off a few other things.
Interestingly, past test vehicles that have been spotted before the Robotaxi event did not utilize LiDAR. We reported on one of those earlier this Summer:
Tesla Model 3 mule spotted with interesting cameras ahead of Robotaxi unveil
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