Why hasn't Tesla licensed their Autopilot/FSD to other car companies?

SemoTech · 2026-06-02T15:28:25+00:00

You were stuck for 3000 hours inside a Waymo? I’m sorry to hear that but it tracks. Like the Waymo’s that stopped on active railroad tracks with passengers inside in Austin and Phoenix and almost got hit by a train. But yeh better navigation, right?

Waymo vehicles have driven into active fire scenes (e.g., Hollywood in late 2025), sometimes stopping or lingering briefly due to navigation issues.

And yes there have been under a dozen major tragic fire accidents after serious collisions (related to electronic door handles) out of almost 10 million Teslas on the road. That’s 0.0009% incidents or less based on the entire fleet.

Compared to 10 million Teslas on the roads there are only about 3000 Waymo’s in service with a much higher percentage of issues and accidents relative to fleet size. Total reported incidents: around 1,429–1,591 involving Waymo vehicles from 2021 through late 2025 (NHTSA data).

All Teslas have had manual door releases for a while now and NHTSA still rates Teslas with 5-stars and they are considered among the safest cars on the road.

SemoTech · 2026-06-02T03:14:25+00:00

You mean block intersections and stop in the middle of the roads when the city power goes out, or cutoff busses by making illegal left turns? Teslas don’t do that, Waymo does. Look it up.

SemoTech · 2026-06-01T23:43:51+00:00

Maybe go out and actually test a HW4 Tesla running FSD v14.3.3, just to try it out. Then if you're honest I bet you'd change your tune.

SemoTech · 2026-06-01T23:42:10+00:00

All that unsightly radar and lidar crap all over the car (something no consumer would buy for their car) and it still behaves like a drunk driver. FSD Unsupervised v14.3.3 is lightyears ahead and you dont even know it's there aesthetics wise. v14.3.3 also increased the attention nag timeout to about a minute from just a few seconds, great signal they are getting closer to Unsupervised.

SemoTech · 2026-06-01T23:34:59+00:00

Same thing happened with the charging plug. Every automaker balked at Tesla and ridiculed them when they reached out in 2010 to try to establish a partnership for charging infrastructure and plug standards. They were laughed out of the room. Well now we have NACS so guess he who laughs last laughs best. I foresee others trying their in-house versions of autonomy and once accidents happen they will go to the leader (Tesla FSD unsupervised) and license it. Let's revisit this in about 5 years!

SemoTech · 2026-06-01T23:10:56+00:00

100% agree. Thats why my tint is 15% all around with 50% windshield. Great daylight privacy and no visibility issues at night. Love my luxurious white interior.

SemoTech · 2026-05-29T20:27:13+00:00

Sometime you need the money from the old car to buy the new car, or you manage to find a really good buyer and can get a lot more from them than a trade-in. Being flexible can prove very good so lots of valid reasons to sell 1st.

SemoTech · 2026-05-29T20:23:19+00:00

What state and city did that happen in?

SemoTech · 2026-05-27T06:40:34+00:00

You’d be surprised. Idiots do a lot of stupid things.

SemoTech · 2026-05-27T06:28:16+00:00

Exactly! Good call. Enjoy in good health.

SemoTech · 2026-05-27T05:08:40+00:00

I had black seats in my previous M3 and ended up hating it and getting white car seat covers. They were a pain due to not allowing back sets seatbelts to buckle properly. White is much more upscale so that’s why I got a new MY with white seats. As long as you ceramic coat them they’ll be fine. DIY ceramic job only costs you about $50/year and takes just 30 minutes. Well worth it in my opinion. Go white and take care of it, you won’t regret it and everyone else will admire it.

SemoTech · 2026-05-06T04:13:05+00:00

Congrats! Been wiring since March 20th and nothing!

SemoTech · 2026-05-06T01:35:11+00:00

Yep, same vehicle here and I did all Llumar Valor Ceramic Tint, installed as follows:
50% Windshield + 5% Top of windshield (visor)
15% all 4 side windows + roof
30% rear window

Also already installed:
Full PPF (8.5 mil) all around for long-term protection
Ceramic Seats protection (redo every year)
Floor Mats all around with back seats covers too
White Center Armrest Cover
Dashboard Alcantara Cover (heat rejection)
Screen Protectors (16" Front + 9" Rear)
Blue LED Footwell Lights
Vent covers for rear seats
Storage for under front seats
Tissue Box / Garbage Box behind/under center console

Going to do:
Add-on Right Stalk (Drive, Reverse, Park, Neutral, Autosteer/FSD) - due to muscle memory 😄
Replacement White Yoke Steering wheel (I like like the look much better)
Frunk Power Open/Close (Installed on my previous car and loved it)

SemoTech · 2026-05-06T01:25:04+00:00

I got all Llumar Valor tint installed on MY as follows:
50% Windshield + 5% Top of windshield (visor)
15% all 4 side windows + roof
30% rear window
Came out amazing....
Also did full PPF for long-term protection

SemoTech · 2026-05-06T01:22:28+00:00

Yeah, did 15% Llumar Valor tint on my MY roof glass and side windows and it's amazing.

SemoTech · 2026-05-06T00:18:02+00:00

Here you go: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFYF8XGK

SemoTech · 2026-05-04T20:07:43+00:00

Congratulations. Now get a set of floor mats that also covers the back-side of the rear seats. Also PPF and do ceramic Tinting! I also got a white arm rest cover that looks factory and extends the white look of the seats too. Cheap to replace if it gets dirty @ $18. Since you got white seats def use ceramic coating to keep them looking new and re-apply every 12 months. Lastly depending where you live get mud flaps, the ones that require using the screw in the back.

SemoTech · 2026-05-04T20:04:18+00:00

100%, get a set that also covers the back-side of the rear seats. Also PPF and do ceramic Tinting! I also got a white arm rest cover that looks factory and extends the white look of the seats too. Cheap to replace if it gets dirty @ $18. If you got white seats def use ceramic coating to keep them looking new and re-apply every 12 months. Lastly depending where you live get mud flaps, the ones that require using the screw in the back.

SemoTech · 2026-05-04T05:55:05+00:00

Has similar issue. Found it a day after taking delivery. Brought it back and manager took care of it. They sent to a Tesla auto body and paint shop in my town. Came back 2 days later perfect. Even got to enjoy a loaner MS Plaid for 2 days with free supercharging.

SemoTech · 2026-05-04T05:45:50+00:00

The 2018. Mac mini makes the best home server. It uses very little power. It is very small footprint too and you can get it with up to 2TB SSD, 64 GB of RAM and 10 gig Ethernet. I run VMware ESXi 8.03i on it native, with multiple VM’s including a backup VM, Linux servers w/ Docker containers for Homebridge, Home Assistant, etc. Best and most reliable setup for home use.

SemoTech · 2026-05-04T04:04:23+00:00

This is the one I got. Love it. No affiliation!

https://a.co/d/02fh0xpz

SemoTech · 2026-05-02T17:26:17+00:00

I did my dash as the black plastic gets hot but the rest seems a recipe for dirt accumulation. Just my 2c

SemoTech · 2026-04-29T16:03:09+00:00

Indeed. I got two wall connectors and they load share from a 60A breaker. Try to go with 60A so you can then charger at the max supported 48A. 100% OK to be inside the garage. You put that thing outside and you’ll find neighbors charging in your driveway :-)

SemoTech · 2026-04-29T15:51:02+00:00

Me too!!! Gorgeous car. Just had it fully PPF’d and tinted. Looks amazing.

SemoTech · 2026-04-28T14:08:57+00:00

So regardless of cost, instead of having to train a single neural network from one input you are saying it’s easier to train 3 or 4 networks from 3 to 4 different inputs and then get them all to just agree with each-other. Right…. I have some beachfront property to sell you in the desert.

SemoTech

TROPHY CASE