Date: September 5, 2023. — Tesla has just announced a price reduction for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta package. Effective immediately, Tesla has slashed the price of the FSD Beta from $15,000 to $12,000.
This decision comes as Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology. It is aiming to make self-driving vehicles more accessible to a broader range of consumers. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, made the announcement via Twitter, emphasizing the company’s commitment to making autonomous driving accessible to a wider audience.
The FSD Beta package includes advanced features such as Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change and allows Teslas to stop on their own at traffic lights and stop signs. Elon Musk also stated that although they are not yet available, the feature would eventually enable full autonomous driving capabilities.
With this price drop, Tesla hopes to entice more customers to embrace the software and contribute to its real-world testing and improvement. This move comes amid growing competition in the autonomous driving sector. Several other automakers and tech giants are racing to develop their self-driving technologies. By reducing the price of its FSD Beta software, Tesla aims to maintain its leadership position. Tesla also hopes to attract more users into its ecosystem.
While the price drop is exciting for Tesla owners, it also raises questions about the state of autonomous technology and safety. Critics argue that reducing the cost of such software might encourage risky behavior or misuse. This underscores the need for regulatory oversight and responsible usage.
Tesla recalled the software earlier this year. This decision was made due to worries that the software would cause cars to make risky decisions at intersections and perhaps result in accidents. An over-the-air update was used to fix the recall. This affected vehicles equipped with FSD Beta software from 2016 to 2023 Model S, Model X, 2017 to 2023 Model 3, and 2020 to 2023 Model Y.
In February, Tesla temporarily halted new and pending installs while recalling its FSD software. Since then, the NHTSA has expressed reservations about the safety of FSD. Tesla plans to someday license FSD to other automakers.
Tesla’s decision to democratize access to its Full Self-Driving Beta software is undoubtedly a pivotal moment. This marks a significant step in the evolution of autonomous driving technology. It still need to see how this move will affect the broader automotive industry. It also remains uncertain how it will affect the pace at which self-driving capabilities become a mainstream reality.
