Gigafactory Texas is being prepared to build the Tesla Cybertruck, expected to enter initial production this summer.
Tesla skeptics, however, continue to argue the all-electric pickup truck will either be delayed even more or never released at all, partly due to the company’s plans for the vehicle.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the Cybertruck would be Tesla’s masterpiece of sorts, meaning the Cybertruck will receive the best the company can offer, such as the Hardware 4 computer.
Little is known about the specifics of Tesla’s Hardware 4 computer, though Musk has confirmed the Cybertruck will be receiving the unit. Considering Musk has also mentioned that retrofits from Hardware 3 to Hardware 4 are not economically practical, it appears any delays on HW4 would likely result in further delays in the Cybertruck’s deliveries.
Fortunately, this is likely not the case. Per recent documents from the Dutch vehicle authority RDW, the new Tesla Model S and Model X in Europe are already equipped with the company’s new Autopilot computer. One of the changes listed for the new Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the RDW documents is the “introduction of Generation 4 complex vehicle control system (Autopilot).”
Tesla’s decision to roll out its new Generation 4 Autopilot computer on the new Model S and Model X for Europe makes sense, considering the two vehicles are relatively low-volume cars. The Cybertruck, while in initial production, will also be a relatively low-volume vehicle compared to Tesla’s mainstream cars, like the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover.
With Tesla now producing cars with its Generation 4 Autopilot computer, the Cybertruck’s production has passed a proverbial speed bump.
Musk has cautioned the Cybertruck’s production this year would only involve an initial production ramp for the vehicle. The real volume production will happen next year. If Tesla will only be producing a limited number of Cybertrucks for 2023, then the company’s supply of Hardware 4 computers will likely be enough for the vehicle. This could also result in the Cybertruck having incredible advanced driver-assist features from day one.
Abby Andrews