Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently sent a memo to Tesla staff requiring them to install and activate the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software for each new customer. He mandated that North American customers receive a short test ride after activating a free month trial that will now come with every new car in the US. Musk emphasized that even though this would slow down the delivery process, it was a hard requirement. Additionally, staff was instructed to give demos to customers who received vehicles back from service to showcase how well supervised FSD actually works.
This move by Musk to directly market Tesla’s autonomous car technology comes at a time when the company is facing increased scrutiny over its safety practices. Tesla has been criticized for potentially overpromising what its autonomous technology can do, leading to dangerous situations for both customers and others on the road. The company offers two technologies – Autopilot and FSD. Autopilot is essentially an advanced cruise control system, while FSD includes additional features like following a pre-mapped path, stopping at traffic lights, and obeying stop signs. However, drivers are still required to be prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time.
In the past, Tesla has faced accusations of false advertising related to its Autopilot and FSD features, with concerns raised about the level of driver supervision required when using these technologies. The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation after a series of crashes involving Tesla vehicles with Autopilot engaged. In response to these issues, Tesla announced a voluntary recall of more than 2 million vehicles to implement a software fix aimed at ensuring drivers remain attentive when Autopilot is activated.
Despite these challenges, Tesla and Musk have maintained that their data shows that Autopilot and FSD are safe to use. The company’s push to promote FSD could help increase its adoption rate and generate more data that can be utilized to enhance its systems. Musk has previously suggested that FSD could eventually enable Tesla owners to turn their vehicles into robotaxis, allowing them to earn extra income when their cars are not in use. He has also indicated plans to release Tesla’s own custom robotaxis in the near future.
Overall, Elon Musk’s memo to Tesla staff reflects the company’s efforts to promote its autonomous driving technology, particularly the Full Self-Driving software. By requiring staff to install and activate FSD for new customers and provide demonstrations to showcase its capabilities, Tesla aims to address concerns about the safety and functionality of its autonomous features. As Tesla continues to navigate regulatory scrutiny and ongoing safety investigations, the company remains focused on expanding the use of FSD and potentially transforming its vehicles into autonomous robotaxis in the future.
