Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed to launch robotaxis in China during April visit
Chinese officials welcomed the robotaxi tests in the country (Photo: Roberto Nickson/Unsplash)
During his recent visit to China, Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed testing the company's advanced driver-assistance package in the country by deploying it in robotaxis, state-backed China Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday. Chinese officials welcomed the robotaxi tests in the country and hoped it would "set a good example", the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.
However, the authorities in China did not immediately approve the widespread use of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) functions. Before the complete rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data overseas to train Tesla cars for driver-assistance features. The newspaper added that this issue wasn't discussed in detail during Musk's visit.
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A person briefed on the matter told Reuters that Tesla is seeking to launch the robotaxi tests in Shanghai, where the company's largest factory globally is located.
Musk's trip to Beijing last month was to discuss the rollout of FSD in the country and whether Tesla could secure government approvals to transfer data overseas that could prove pivotal in its development of autonomous vehicles.
What is FSD? It is the most autonomous version of Autopilot software and was rolled out by Tesla in 2020. Its features include self-parking, auto lane changes and traffic navigation. Among the wins during this trip was a key endorsement from a top Chinese auto association that said Tesla's Model 3 and Y cars were compliant with data-security regulations.
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This development would enable local governments to allow Tesla cars into parts of China they were previously barred from, Chinese media reported. Separately, Tesla had also reached an agreement with Baidu to use the Chinese tech giant's mapping license for data collection on China's public roads, in a step towards FSD rollout in China.
However, the China Daily Newspaper said citing sources that the deal only meant that the accuracy of Baidu's maps provided to Tesla would be improved and that it had no direct relation with FSD. Also, for now, Musk has abandoned a longstanding goal for Tesla to make affordable electric cars for the masses.
(with inputs from Reuters)
