Tesla’s user interface (UI) has dropped a major hint that the Full Self-Driving suite is on its way in China.
New images from Tesla vehicles in China seem to indicate there is a new feature on the way to its vehicles. A button that is currently blacked out and not accessible but still visible on the vehicle says “Fully Automated Driving Capability (Driver Supervised Version).”
It is the latest hint that things are moving forward in Tesla’s plans to release Full Self-Driving in China:
Tesla released an ambitious roadmap just a few weeks ago that included distinct plans to release the Full Self-Driving suite in China and Europe in Q1 2025:
It was a major piece of information as the company is already rolling out robust Full Self-Driving versions in the United States and other North American markets but has yet to bring them to major markets in Europe and Asia.
This new hint that Tesla dropped to China vehicles could mean the company is closer to releasing Full Self-Driving in the market than previously thought. The current plan is to gain approval from regulatory agencies, and while this is not confirmation that it has gained it, it could be a sign that Tesla is on the right track.
The self-driving landscape in China is competitive and robust. Companies like WeRide, Baidu, Xpeng, and others already have operations in China, which puts Tesla at a timeline disadvantage. However, the company has advantages in other areas, like its complex neural network and overwhelming data collection efforts.
But Tesla will have its hands full with the progress other companies already have in China, and it may take some time for it to establish itself as a leader.
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