Tag: Full Self-Driving

April 12, 2025
Tesla Switches to Free FSD for Referrals, Retains Loyalty Discounts
Key Takeaways
1. Tesla is offering three months of free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature with the purchase of a new Model Y, Model 3, Model S/X, or Cybertruck using a referral link.
2. Referral link recipients can get $400 off their solar installation, while the referrer now earns $250 in Tesla credits, reduced from $500.
3. The referral bonus structure has changed, focusing on increasing users for the Full Self-Driving feature rather than offering $1,000 off vehicles.
4. Tesla plans to roll out unsupervised Full Self-Driving testing in June 2026 in Austin, Texas, using a fleet of Model Y, Model 3, and potentially Cybertruck vehicles.
5. Tesla maintains loyalty discounts up to $1,000 for Model S/X purchases and $500 for Model Y/Model 3 purchases for returning Tesla owners.
Tesla is offering a special deal where customers can enjoy three months of the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature for free if they buy a new Model Y, Model 3, Model S/X, or a Cybertruck using a referral link.
Referral Discounts for Solar Projects
In addition, friends, family, or anyone else who receives a referral link can get $400 off their solar installation using Tesla products. However, the person who refers them now earns only $250 in Tesla credits, down from the previous $500.
Changes to Referral Bonuses
In the past, buyers who used a referral link received $1,000 off their vehicles or services. Now, Tesla is focusing on attracting more users to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature to gather data and increase its appeal, leading to a change in the referral bonus structure.
Tesla plans to roll out the unsupervised FSD version this June in Austin, Texas, where it will serve as a testing site for its forthcoming robotaxi service. The aim is to connect more drivers to FSD, which could lead to a larger number of cars available on the platform when it eventually opens up to vehicles not owned by Tesla.
Future Plans for FSD Testing
This rollout is expected to occur in early 2026. The unsupervised FSD testing will initially use a fleet of Model Y and Model 3 cars, along with the recently launched Cybertruck in its most affordable RWD variant. The fleet could later include the Cybercab if it secures the needed permits for public road use.
Currently, Tesla is maintaining its loyalty discount, which can still reach up to $1,000 for customers who buy a Model S or Model X using the same account after owning another Tesla. Those buying the new Model Y or Model 3 and who have previously owned a Tesla will receive a $500 loyalty discount.
Source:
Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Model Y, Tesla
February 18, 2025
Live Demo of xAI’s Grok 3 as AI Integrates with Tesla Today
Key Takeaways
1. Tesla vehicles are becoming more advanced with the integration of xAI’s Grok 3, enhancing their AI capabilities beyond just being “computers on wheels.”
2. Grok 3 uses real-time data from the X social media platform to provide up-to-date information and news in its responses.
3. New features in Grok include self-correction to fix errors, reinforcement learning to reduce incorrect responses, and the use of synthetic datasets for faster training.
4. The introduction of a live-voice mode aims to improve Tesla’s voice command system and make interactions more natural and intuitive.
5. Grok will work closely with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, enhancing self-driving capabilities and enabling complex inquiries like weather updates.
Elon Musk has often said that his vehicles are basically computers on wheels. However, they are turning out to be even more sophisticated than just that. Soon, Tesla cars will be equipped with the latest version of xAI’s Grok, and there’s a live demonstration of this AI system scheduled for today.
Major Improvements with Grok 3
Grok 3 is set to bring major enhancements following xAI’s updates to its Large Language Model (LLM) training techniques. The AI now utilizes real-time data from posts on the X social media platform to formulate responses, allowing it to provide up-to-the-minute news.
New Features of Grok
Among the new features in Grok is self-correction, which allows it to identify and rectify its own errors. There’s also reinforcement learning, which employs rewards and penalties to minimize incorrect responses. Additionally, synthetic datasets or artificially created data will help speed up the training process.
Exciting Live-Voice Mode
One of the most notable upgrades is the introduction of live-voice mode, an aspect where Grok previously fell short compared to its competitors. This feature is crucial for integrating Grok within Tesla vehicles.
Grok is anticipated to improve the current voice command system in Tesla, with a demonstration possibly happening tonight. The AI model will closely connect with Full Self-Driving (FSD), allowing Grok to gather real-world data for self-driving capabilities. It should also facilitate more natural general knowledge inquiries, like asking about the weather or handling other complicated requests.
Other electric vehicle manufacturers are also integrating AI technology, such as the Chinese companies Geely and Voyah, which are working with DeepSeek.
Source:
Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Tesla, xAI Grok
February 3, 2025
Tesla Reduces Insurance Costs for FSD Drivers
As Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology shows fewer major interventions, the company is laying the foundation to persuade regulators that its autonomous driving system is safer than human drivers.
Safety Comparisons
Elon Musk has mentioned that FSD has an 8x safety benefit, although this figure is based on older NHTSA data. In contrast, Tesla’s own statistics indicate that FSD and Autopilot result in 6x fewer accidents when compared to traditional manual driving.
Insurance Discounts
Tesla is taking a careful approach, only offering its insurance in a few states. Musk is so confident in the safety of FSD compared to human driving that Tesla is now providing discounts on insurance premiums, which increase based on the number of miles driven using FSD.
Starting in Texas and Arizona, new policyholders can expect reduced insurance costs this month, or starting March 8 for those renewing their policies. The process involves Tesla tracking the total miles driven each month and calculating the percentage of those miles driven while FSD was active.
Incentives for FSD Use
The greater the percentage of miles driven using FSD, the larger the discount, which could encourage drivers to utilize FSD more often instead of manual driving. To qualify for the discount, a driver must log at least five miles or 1% of their total miles using FSD within a 30-day timeframe.
If a Tesla operates on FSD for half of the time, the company will reduce the insurance premium by 10% on the next payment. However, this offer is exclusive to those who have either purchased FSD or are monthly subscribers, and it does not apply to new owners currently in their free 30-day FSD trial. Additionally, certain aspects of the policy, like comprehensive insurance or coverage for uninsured drivers, are excluded from the FSD discount, meaning the total savings might be lower.
Although Tesla’s insurance offerings are limited to a few states and may not be the best option overall, the clear goal is to have FSD influence a driver’s safety rating for insurance purposes, and to showcase such a discount program to regulators.
Future Plans
Tesla is gearing up to introduce unsupervised FSD in Austin this June, and it will need all the positive regulatory support it can get to broaden its robotaxi service in more significant cities by the year’s end.
Source:
Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, insurance discount, Tesla
December 27, 2024
Tesla Model Y Owners: Free FSD Offer Extension for Subscribers
After previously providing free trials of its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) service exclusively for inventory vehicles, and later extending the promotion to include free Supercharging for new purchases across its fleet, Tesla is now offering FSD trials at no cost.
Free FSD Subscriptions for Model Y Owners
Some owners of the Model Y are now receiving a complimentary month of the FSD subscription to experience the autonomous driving feature, which has recently been updated to its 13th version, introducing numerous enhancements in parking and traffic awareness.
“You have been granted a complimentary trial of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for your Model Y,” Tesla’s holiday message states, explaining the functionalities of FSD and how to navigate the additional trial period.
Limited Offer for Newer Models
Interestingly, this offer also applies to current FSD subscription users, who can enjoy the service without the usual $99 monthly charge during the trial. However, the invitations are primarily sent to owners of newer Model Y batches equipped with Tesla’s latest AI4 hardware, leaving many Model Y owners in the US, who still have the HW3 kit, unable to access FSD 13 at this time.
Tesla has assured that free HW4 upgrade retrofits will be available if it cannot get the latest FSD versions to operate on the older Hardware 3.0 platform. Until then, most owners of Model Y or Model 3 will miss out on the newest advancements that the self-driving software can provide.
A Strategic Move Towards Approval
This initiative clearly aims to enhance the popularity of the latest FSD 13 version, as Tesla requires intervention data to present to regulators in its effort to eliminate the “supervised” aspect of its paid Full Self-Driving service.
Elon Musk has stated that unsupervised FSD is expected to launch in 2025, starting in Texas and California for existing models, before Tesla rolls out its driverless Robotaxi on public streets.
Future of Tesla’s Ride-Share Service
Reports indicate that Tesla’s Cybercab ride-share service will initially utilize company-owned vehicles, including Robotaxis, while current Tesla owners will have the opportunity to rent their cars to the service for extra income in the future.
Musk has also suggested that he might use his position as the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the upcoming Trump administration to lead the way in federal regulations for autonomous vehicles.
This would streamline the approval process for self-driving cars on public roads, according to Musk. Additionally, Tesla is collaborating at both state and city levels, including training first responders to handle situations that could arise from its driverless vehicles, such as the Robotaxi when they become more prevalent on the streets.
Source: Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Model Y, Tesla
December 13, 2024
BMW Praises Tesla FSD V13.2 as Impressive, Then Deletes Tweet
Social media exchanges between businesses, or more specifically their social media profiles, are nearly always captivating. Not long ago, BMW made a brief mention of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) v13.2, calling it ‘very impressive’ in a tweet that was later deleted. This remark came after @AIDRIVR posted about Tesla’s latest FSD features, which have gained attention for significant improvements in parking automation and executing three-point turns.
The Interaction Unfolds
The interaction took place when a third-party account drew attention to Tesla’s FSD abilities, tagging BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz with the message, “Isn’t that impressive?” BMW replied with a concise yet revealing “very impressive.” Tesla’s official account soon joined the conversation with a cheeky “Hi @BMW,” creating a light-hearted moment online.
Speculation Over Deletion
However, BMW’s tweet vanished soon after, leading users to ponder the reasons behind its disappearance. Was it an accidental compliment from BMW, or did someone in the company think that praising a rival’s technology wasn’t appropriate? Regardless, the internet swiftly captured screenshots (see above), as that’s just how it operates.
Competitive Landscape
While Tesla continues to roll out updates like FSD v13.2, other car manufacturers, including BMW, are diligently developing their own advanced driver-assistance technologies. The deleted tweet might reflect a blend of recognition and prudence, as traditional automakers strive to keep pace with Tesla’s advancements in autonomous driving.
Source: Link
Tags: BMW, Full Self-Driving, Tesla
November 21, 2024
Tesla offers free charging and FSD trials with new vehicle purchases
Now that Tesla’s stock of vehicles has decreased noticeably, the company is offering free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving trials for all new car purchases.
New Offers for Inventory Vehicles
Last week, Tesla rolled out a fresh deal for buyers of its existing stock of vehicles, excluding used ones. The promotion includes three months of complimentary charging at Tesla stations and the Full Self-Driving feature for free during the same duration, allowing customers to test it out and see if they can manage without it.
Cybertruck Details
However, those looking to get an inventory Cybertruck were limited to the free Supercharging deal. This is because the only available models are the Foundation Series pickups, which already have FSD included but come with a starting price of over $100,000. In contrast, Tesla does offer non-Foundation Series Cybertrucks that start below $80,000; however, these do not qualify for the free FSD offer as it is only for inventory vehicles.
Expanded Promotion for New Models
Now, Tesla is broadening its free Supercharging and FSD trial offer to customers who receive any new Model Y, Model 3, Model S, Model X, or even the base Cybertruck by the year’s end. Customers who take delivery of a new Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, or Cybertruck before December 31, 2024, can receive three months of free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and Supercharging. This offer can’t be delayed or shifted to another account or vehicle. Also, no alternative will be provided for those who buy Full Self-Driving (Supervised). This promotion does not apply to used vehicles or business orders.
Potential for Record Shipments
This push for year-end incentives could lead to unprecedented quarterly shipments, as Tesla now has numerous promotional offers running. Besides the Supercharging and FSD trials, they are also offering a 0% APR financing rate and free FSD transfers, along with state-specific promotions like free overnight charging in Texas.
Source: Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Model Y, Tesla
November 15, 2024
Tesla Offers Free Supercharging and FSD Promo to Boost Sales
Tesla is offering complimentary Supercharging and Full Self-Driving (FSD) trials for anyone who buys a vehicle from its inventory by the year’s end.
Customers who take delivery of a new inventory car between November 14 and December 31 will enjoy three months of free access to the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature, along with free Supercharging during the same timeframe.
Restrictions on the Offer
It’s important to note that this offer cannot be used later or transferred to different accounts or vehicles. Buyers who have already paid for the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature might be disappointed with this new promotion.
Sadly, not all used vehicles in Tesla’s inventory qualify for the free Supercharging and FSD trials, and business account orders are also excluded.
Promotional Efforts and Sales Boost
Tesla has rolled out numerous promotions to boost its shipment figures in the final quarter of the year, making it challenging to track them all. However, these efforts could lead to record deliveries right before the anticipated release of the Model Y Juniper.
The most sought-after offer among the current Model 3 and Model Y deals is the 0% APR financing, which no longer requires customers to buy FSD as a condition, a change made at the start of the month.
Long-Term Strategies
Additionally, Tesla has introduced free FSD transfers, a benefit that seems to be becoming a regular offering. This has been in place for four straight quarters, even though Elon Musk has indicated that it’s a temporary promotion, emphasizing the need for Tesla to “make money somehow.”
Tesla is also keen on providing free FSD trials, as it aims to attract customers towards buying or subscribing to the service. Furthermore, the company needs to log many miles driven with FSD to show regulators its strong safety track record, especially as it prepares for the launch of the Cybercab/Robotaxi ride-sharing service.
New Inventory Highlights
For the first time, Tesla has Cybertrucks available in its inventory, but only the free Supercharging offer will be of value to future owners. All these are Foundation Series units, which come with FSD included at no additional cost.
Source: Link
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Model 3, Tesla
October 23, 2024
Tesla Pursues Robotaxi Launch with FSD Regulatory Approval
After receiving certification from Chinese officials as a safe handler of personal data, Tesla has been given the green light to set up data centers and offer online processing along with content distribution networks. This is crucial to meet the Chinese government’s demand that all data collected from citizens, including information from the future Full Self-Driving service analytics, remains within the country and is kept secure.
Pilot Testing in China
Currently, Tesla is conducting pilot Full Self-Driving (FSD) tests with Model Y cars in China. They must submit their findings to regulators in order to persuade them to approve FSD for use in the largest car market in the world. The Chinese government aims to demonstrate that it welcomes such services from foreign firms, and local officials have stated that Tesla’s driver-assistance features will enhance the autonomous driving landscape in the country, encouraging collaboration among companies and increasing public acceptance.
Competition and Local Developments
Local competitors like Xpeng have also expressed that the introduction of Tesla’s FSD in China would be beneficial for everyone involved. However, Xpeng has a significant advantage, as it will be the first domestic company to receive approval for a self-driving feature in major cities this quarter, due to its new P7+ sedan. In contrast, Tesla’s FSD approval in China is expected to occur no sooner than next year.
Despite the challenges, Tesla is making efforts to meet all regulatory demands in China and in the United States, where they are eager to roll out unsupervised FSD next year in both Texas and California, and aim to obtain a Robotaxi permit by 2026.
Testing Partnership with Palo Alto
Tesla is now seeking permission from the Palo Alto local government to use its streets as a test area for the Robotaxi launch. Meghan Horrigan-Taylor, a spokesperson for the city, reported that discussions are underway regarding a partnership for testing Robotaxi services with Tesla.
Tesla’s decision to approach regulators makes sense, especially since it opened its new global engineering and AI headquarters in Palo Alto last year. A permit to test driverless Robotaxis on city streets would be quite convenient for them.
Moreover, the city stands to gain, as its Palo Alto Link service, which offers low-cost or free rides to residents, is currently facing financial difficulties. During the Robotaxi reveal, Elon Musk mentioned that rides could cost as little as $0.30 per mile, factoring in all expenses, making a test fleet of Robotaxis appealing for the Palo Alto city council.
Regulatory Hurdles Ahead
However, the city’s spokesperson reminded that the ultimate decision rests with the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which will evaluate the safety and readiness of autonomous vehicles for public roads. Therefore, Tesla will still need to convince regulators to make its Robotaxi operation legal on the streets of Palo Alto.
China Daily, Palo Alto.
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Palo Alto, Tesla
October 16, 2024
P7+: First AI Car with Free Self-Driving, No Weather Limitations
With the aim to surpass Tesla in the realm of full self-driving, Xpeng has introduced a direct competitor to the Model 3, priced below $30,000, which includes complimentary full self-driving and autoparking features.
Competition Intensifies in China
Several of Tesla’s top rivals in China, such as BYD, Xpeng, and NIO, are rapidly advancing their driver assistance technologies, striving to differentiate themselves and draw in more consumers. This ongoing competition has led to significant innovations and enhancements in the automotive sector.
Introducing the Xpeng P7+
A notable example is the new Xpeng P7+ sedan, which directly challenges the Model 3 with its price being 10% lower than Tesla’s most affordable model. Xpeng refers to the P7+ as “the first AI car,” as it utilizes artificial intelligence to manage all aspects of the vehicle, including autonomous driving, energy efficiency, and thermal control for the first time ever.
This new vehicle showcases Xpeng’s commitment to AI; it’s their initial smart car that doesn’t rely on LiDAR for self-driving operations. Instead, they have adopted Tesla’s method, equipping the P7+ with Eagle Eye vision technology, which they claim provides greater accuracy than their prior LiDAR-based self-driving systems.
Advanced Technology and Capabilities
The innovative mix of AI software with camera and sensor technology allows the P7+ to map an area equivalent to two football fields in all weather and road conditions. With Eagle Eye, Xpeng is on track to potentially be the first automotive company to implement its self-driving technology in major cities and along highways by year-end.
The system supports seamless intelligent driving capabilities, allowing for door-to-door travel and parking space navigation. This stands in stark contrast to Tesla’s full self-driving, which has yet to receive approval in China.
Specifications That Standout
When it comes to specifications, the P7+ boasts a slightly longer range than the Tesla Model 3 and operates its self-driving software on two Nvidia Orin X chips, with the cabin entertainment system powered by a high-end Snapdragon 8295 processor.
The AI-driven powertrain also achieves an impressive efficiency of around 18 kWh per 100 miles, and the P7+ is constructed on a contemporary 800V architecture, enabling rapid charging capabilities.
Pre-orders have begun at a starting price of $29,610, which might be adjusted downwards before the official launch next month. Tesla is encountering significant rivalry in China, capturing only 6.4% of the new energy vehicle market there last month.
Xpeng (Weibo) via SCMP
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Tesla Model 3, Xpeng P7+
October 11, 2024
Elon Musk Highlights Test Driver Boredom Before Model Y FSD Launch
Tesla might soon submit the required paperwork to get regulatory approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature to be used without any driver oversight, meaning no warnings or restrictions for the driver.
Future Plans for Tesla Vehicles
Elon Musk believes that by next year, Tesla will get the go-ahead for unsupervised FSD, effectively transforming the Model 3 and Model Y into a type of robotaxi, along with the Cybertruck and its other models.
Challenges with the Robotaxi
The newly announced Robotaxi by Tesla won’t be able to operate by itself right away. This is because it won’t begin mass production until 2026 at the earliest. Additionally, it will be tougher for regulators to approve its use as a self-driving vehicle since it lacks a steering wheel or pedals.
Musk pointed out that one of the hurdles to gaining regulatory approval for unsupervised FSD is the boredom of test drivers. To get the necessary permits, Tesla needs to clearly show regulators that it has collected a significant amount of miles driven without any interventions or accidents.
Statistics and Driver Experience
He emphasized that the system is improving so much that gathering those statistics is becoming a challenge. Tesla aims to have more vehicles equipped with FSD on the roads, and is currently providing APR financing deals to help meet that goal.
When it gets to thousands of miles without needing an intervention, the requirement is 10,000 miles for just one intervention. The average driver typically covers about 10,000 miles in a year. In cities, the average speed is around 20 mph. Our professional test drivers often feel bored, honestly. They might say, "I drove all week and there was no intervention." The highlight for them is when they finally get an intervention!
Geographic Limitations
Elon did mention that unsupervised FSD will initially be limited to geofenced areas in Texas and California. This means regulators may only allow its use in specific regions and routes, resembling how Waymo’s self-driving cars function.
He also noted that Tesla is prepared to expand unsupervised FSD to any US area that grants approval, as well as internationally. However, Europe and China are expected to approve the current supervised FSD next year, and the unsupervised version may take longer.
Regulatory Hurdles Ahead
Currently, FSD is classified as a Level 2 driver-assist system, so moving to Level 4 or 5 next year could be quite ambitious unless Tesla agrees to adhere to many of the regulatory constraints that other autonomous public transit systems already follow. In summary, if unsupervised FSD does roll out in 2025, it will likely have a limited scope.
Tags: Full Self-Driving, Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Model 3