WASHINGTON: Elon Musk said Tesla expects its fully autonomous vehicles to be operating at scale across the United States before the end of 2026, outlining an aggressive timeline for the company’s driverless technology during a virtual address at the Smart Mobility Summit on Monday.
Speaking via video link, the Tesla chief executive projected a future in which artificial intelligence could handle a majority of transportation needs, challenging conventional expectations within the automotive industry.
Musk said Tesla has already begun limited deployment of driverless vehicles in three major cities in Texas, operating without human occupants or onboard safety monitors during testing phases.
He argued this approach differs from other autonomous vehicle programs that still rely on remote supervision or human backup drivers during trials.
Looking ahead, Musk said he believes artificial intelligence could manage around 90% of all travel in the United States within the next decade.
“In 10 years, it’ll be quite a niche thing to actually be driving your own car,” he said, suggesting that manual driving could become increasingly rare by the mid-2030s.
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Tesla’s autonomous vehicles are currently operating in select urban areas of Texas, which the company says reflects growing maturity in its self-driving technology and readiness for real-world deployment.
