Autonomous Delivery
A Tesla Model Y drove itself autonomously, i.e. without a driver, from the factory near Austin to a customer’s home on Friday. This is the latest move by the American electric car manufacturer to showcase its progress in autonomous driving.
In a post on X, CEO Elon Musk reported that the company had carried out the first autonomous delivery, from the factory to a customer’s home. He added that the delivery took place “through the city.” The car also drove on the highway. According to Musk, there was no one in the car and it was not remotely controlled.
The delivery took place a day earlier than the date Musk had previously mentioned for the first autonomous delivery, June 28. Saturday is also his 54th birthday. It is the second milestone for Tesla in a short time. Last weekend, the company in Austin deployed a small group of self-driving taxis, so-called robotaxis, that picked up paying passengers for the first time.
It is unclear whether autonomous deliveries will become an important part of Tesla’s policy. What is known is that Musk expects the production of large numbers of robotaxis and Optimus humanoid robots to eventually form the basis for the next chapter of his car company. Tesla sales in important markets such as North America and Europe have not been going well lately and the company has faced a consumer boycott due to Musk’s role in the government of US President Donald Trump. Several top managers have also recently left the company.