Tesla CEO Elon Musk has acknowledged that many Tesla vehicles already on the road will require hardware upgrades to support a future version of Full Self-Driving (FSD) capable of operating without human supervision.
Speaking during Tesla’s recent earnings discussion, Musk said that older vehicles equipped with the company’s Hardware 3 computer are not powerful enough to run unsupervised autonomous driving systems.
He stated that while Tesla previously aimed to achieve full autonomy through software updates alone, that approach is no longer sufficient for older hardware.
Musk admitted, “Hardware 3 simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised Full Self-Driving.”
Tesla would likely need to replace onboard computers in affected vehicles, describing the process as difficult but necessary.
“We probably need to upgrade the Hardware 3 computer… it will be painful and difficult, but we will do it,” Musk emphasised.
Reports indicate that millions of Tesla cars globally could be affected, particularly those produced between 2019 and 2023. These vehicles may require upgraded self-driving computers and potentially improved camera systems to support next-generation autonomy features.
Musk also suggested that Tesla is considering new service approaches, including localised upgrade hubs, to handle the scale of hardware retrofits more efficiently.
The admission marks a shift from earlier Tesla messaging, where the company suggested that all existing vehicles with Full Self-Driving capability would eventually reach full autonomy through software improvements alone.
Tesla continues to expand its supervised FSD system, but fully autonomous, driverless operation remains under development.
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AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.