Elon Musk proposed to launch robotaxis in China during April visit, state media report says By Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) -Elon Musk proposed testing Tesla (NASDAQ:)’s superior driver-assistance bundle in China by deploying it in robotaxis, during his current go to to the nation, the state-backed China Each day newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Chinese language officers advised the Tesla CEO that China “welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi exams in the nation” and hopes it will probably “set an excellent instance”, the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.

Nevertheless, Chinese language authorities didn’t instantly approve its widespread use of Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities, the newspaper added.

Earlier than the complete rollout of its FSD capabilities, Tesla nonetheless wants to get approval to accumulate and switch information that Tesla’s vehicles want to prepare its driver-assistance options. The newspaper added that this challenge wasn’t mentioned in element during Musk’s go to.

An individual briefed on the matter advised Reuters that Tesla is looking for to apply to launch the robotaxi exams in Shanghai, the place the corporate’s largest manufacturing unit globally is situated.

Tesla and the Shanghai metropolis authorities didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The China Each day report comes shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a whirlwind weekend journey to Beijing late final month, the place he met Chinese language Premier Li Qiang.

Musk on the journey meant to focus on the rollout of FSD and whether or not Tesla might safe authorities approvals to switch information abroad that might show pivotal in its growth of autonomous automobiles, Reuters beforehand reported.

FSD is probably the most autonomous model of Autopilot software program and was rolled out in 2020. Its options embrace self-parking, auto lane modifications and site visitors navigation.

Among the many wins during Musk’s journey, which was first reported by Reuters, was a key endorsement from a high Chinese language auto affiliation that mentioned Tesla’s Mannequin 3 and Y vehicles had been compliant with data-security laws. That may allow native governments to enable Tesla vehicles into elements of China they had been beforehand barred from, Chinese language media reported, citing a press release from Tesla.

Tesla has additionally reached an settlement with Baidu (NASDAQ:) to use the Chinese language tech big’s mapping license for information assortment on China’s public roads, in accordance to two individuals who on the time described that as a step towards FSD rollout in China.

The China Each day newspaper, nonetheless, citing a supply shut to Baidu, mentioned that the deal solely meant that the accuracy of Baidu’s maps offered to Tesla can be improved and that it had no direct relation with FSD.

Baidu didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Musk has deserted a longstanding aim for Tesla to make reasonably priced electrical vehicles for the lots and is trying to give attention to autonomous driving software program, robotaxis and its humanoid robotic Optimus.

Final month, the corporate talked about a “purpose-built robotaxi product” that it deliberate to construct with a “revolutionary” manufacturing course of, with out providing a timeline for its launch.

China has been on the forefront in the event of self-driving vehicles, and corporations comparable to Baidu and Toyota-backed Pony.ai have launched robotaxi providers in restricted check zones in a number of cities.