In a significant leap forward for autonomous vehicle technology, Tesla has introduced hands-free highway driving to select Tesla Cybertruck models, following an over-the-air update pushed to vehicles this morning. According to Tesla AI chief Ashok Elluswamy, this new “end-to-end on highway” driving feature is powered by a neural network capable of navigating all aspects of highway driving. The Cybertruck is the first Tesla model to receive this groundbreaking feature, marking a significant milestone for the automaker’s Full-Self Driving (FSD) ambitions.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also owns X (formerly Twitter), praised the update, responding to Elluswamy’s announcement with, “Nice work,” highlighting the company’s continued commitment to autonomous technology.
Early Access: Limited Rollout for Cybertruck Owners
This new feature is currently in “early access,” meaning it’s available to a select group of Cybertruck owners who had pre-purchased the FSD feature. Many of these customers, who paid $7,000 for the feature at the time of preorder, had been waiting nearly a year for it to be enabled in their trucks. While a full-scale release date has not yet been confirmed, Tesla owners now have the option to subscribe to FSD for $99 per month.
One early-access driver posted on X that the feature is “working well” after testing it on highways this morning. The update is seen as a crucial win for the Cybertruck, which faced delays and engineering challenges in the lead-up to its debut, including concerns about braking, handling, and noise. Additionally, the truck has experienced a few safety recalls, further adding to Tesla’s challenges in launching this new model.
A Step Toward True Autonomy?
Despite the excitement surrounding the update, Tesla’s FSD feature remains under the “Supervised” category, meaning drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle. The company’s owner manuals emphasize that the technology is not yet fully autonomous, and the system will deactivate if it detects drivers looking away from the road. Critics argue that Tesla’s marketing of the FSD feature can sometimes create unrealistic expectations, leading some drivers to believe the technology is more capable than it currently is.
Tesla has faced scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which reported that Tesla’s Autopilot, an earlier version of FSD, was involved in 13 fatal crashes between 2018 and 2023. Following a lengthy investigation, Tesla recalled 2 million vehicles equipped with Autopilot last year, though the automaker disputed the NHTSA’s findings.
Musk Bets Big on AI-Driven Autonomy
While Tesla faces increasing competition in the electric vehicle market, Elon Musk has repeatedly expressed confidence that the company’s future rests on autonomous technology. During an investor call this summer, Musk stated, “The value of Tesla overwhelmingly is autonomy.” The hands-free highway driving update appears to be a key element of Tesla’s strategy to stay ahead of the competition, as many automakers are now pushing their own electric and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Looking ahead, Tesla’s autonomous ambitions could take another leap forward this month. Musk has hinted at the unveiling of a fully autonomous electric taxi, dubbed the “Cybercab,” set for October 10 in Southern California. If successful, it would mark Tesla’s first venture into the autonomous taxi market, a sector that could redefine the future of urban transportation.
Road to Full Autonomy Still Uncertain
Despite these advancements, the road to fully autonomous driving remains long and uncertain. Tesla continues to face legal challenges, including a class action lawsuit from customers who were allegedly misled about the self-driving capabilities of their vehicles. While Tesla has made significant strides in driver assistance technologies, true self-driving remains elusive, and it’s unclear when, or if, the company will deliver on Musk’s bold promises.
As the world of autonomous vehicles continues to evolve, Tesla’s Cybertruck and its AI-powered highway driving update represent a key step forward—albeit one that requires vigilant oversight from drivers. Whether these advancements can overcome the scrutiny of regulators and the skepticism of the public remains to be seen.
