BEIJING - Billionaire Elon Musk proposed testing Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance package in China by deploying it in robotaxis, during his recent visit to the country, the state-backed China Daily newspaper reported on May 8, citing sources.
Chinese officials told the Tesla chief executive that China “welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country” and hopes it can “set a good example”, the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.
However, the Chinese authorities did not immediately approve its widespread use of Full Self-Driving (FSD) functions, the newspaper added.
Before the full rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data that Tesla’s cars need to train its driver-assistance features. The newspaper added that this issue was not discussed in detail during Mr Musk’s visit.
A person briefed on the matter told Reuters that Tesla is seeking to apply to launch the robotaxi tests in Shanghai, where the company’s largest factory globally is located.
Tesla and the Shanghai city government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The China Daily report comes shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a whirlwind weekend trip to Beijing late in April, where he made progress towards rolling out FSD.
Mr Musk on the trip intended to discuss the rollout of FSD and whether Tesla could secure government approvals to transfer data overseas that could prove pivotal in its development of autonomous vehicles, Reuters previously reported.
FSD is the most autonomous version of Autopilot software and was rolled out in 2020. Its features include self-parking, auto lane changes and traffic navigation.
Mr Musk has abandoned a longstanding goal for Tesla to make affordable electric cars for the masses and is looking to focus on autonomous driving software, robotaxis and its humanoid robot Optimus.
In April, the company mentioned a “purpose-built robotaxi product” that it planned to build with a “revolutionary” manufacturing process, without offering a timeline for its release.
China has been at the forefront in the development of self-driving cars, and companies such as Baidu and Toyota-backed Pony.ai have launched robotaxi services in several cities. REUTERS
