Key Takeaways
1. Tesla’s HW5 AI chip is powerful but will have limited capabilities due to US export restrictions on AI chips.
2. The new AI5 chip is much stronger than the current AI4 chip used in Tesla’s Model Y robotaxis.
3. Recent US regulations restrict the export of advanced AI chips, impacting Tesla’s ability to fully utilize the AI5 chip internationally.
4. Elon Musk is optimistic that export control thresholds will increase, potentially reducing the need to limit the AI5’s capabilities.
5. Tesla is also developing the AI6 chip, aiming for compatibility with a range of products, including Optimus robots and self-driving vehicles.
Tesla is set to limit the capabilities of its impressive AI chip designed for the upcoming HW5 computer, which is expected to go into mass production by late 2026.
Power Meets Restrictions
The new Hardware 5.0 FSD computer, now referred to as AI5, is said to be incredibly powerful for artificial intelligence tasks. However, it may conflict with the export restrictions the US government has placed on AI chips due to national security concerns.
Elon Musk claims that Tesla produces the top designs for AI chips, expertly integrating computational prowess with its self-driving software. This is why the company is once again developing the HW5 internally. He stated, “there’s still not a chip that exists that we would prefer to put in our car,” even though the current HW4 computer was created a few years back.
A Comparison with AI4
The AI4 chip currently powering Tesla’s Model Y robotaxis for unsupervised FSD is reportedly significantly weaker than the forthcoming AI5. This disparity means that Tesla will have to intentionally limit the capabilities of the HW5 computer to comply with government export rules on AI chips.
In January, the US government imposed new regulations regarding the quantity and performance of AI chips. Over 100 allied nations faced limits on the advanced AI chips they could procure from American firms. Additionally, countries like China were given restrictions on the processing power of these chips.
Changes in Export Regulations
The Biden administration not only prohibited the export of Nvidia’s advanced B100 and B200 AI chips but also imposed limitations on its midrange H20 silicon aimed at aligning with government standards. The ban on H20 chips has now been lifted, and Musk is optimistic that the thresholds for export controls will rise over time, which would allow Tesla to avoid “nerfing” its AI5 computer for international use.
Musk mentioned that mass production of Tesla vehicles featuring the AI5/HW5 computer and FSD camera system is targeted to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Looking to the Future
While the AI5 computer is under development, Tesla is also planning for the future with its AI6 hardware. To achieve economies of scale for the AI6 chip, the company aims to make it compatible with a smart ecosystem that includes Optimus robots and self-driving vehicles.
“Considering Dojo 3 and the AI6 inference chip, it seems like intuitively, we want to converge where it’s basically the same chip but used in, say, two of them in a car or an Optimus and possibly a greater number on a board,” Musk shared.
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