A Tesla Model Y SUV drove without a driver from the factory near Austin, USA, to a customer on Friday, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk on X. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the car manufacturer has done this.
The delivery was actually supposed to take place this Saturday. Musk is celebrating his 54th birthday today. It is not clear why the delivery was brought forward by one day.
Tesla has been trying to take steps in the field of autonomous driving for some time. The car manufacturer says that the car drove independently “through the city and on the highway”. The vehicle would not have been remotely controlled.
This is the second milestone for Tesla in a short time. Last weekend, the company in Austin used a small group of self-driving taxis, so-called robotaxis, for the first time to pick up paying passengers.
It is unclear whether autonomous deliveries will become an important part of Tesla’s policy. However, it is known that Musk expects the production of large numbers of robotaxis 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 good lately. The company has faced a consumer boycott due to Musk’s role in the administration of US President Donald Trump. Also, several top managers have left the company recently.