A brand new challenger to Tesla and Waymo’s self-driving automobile efforts was introduced immediately. Tensor, an upstart from San Jose, California, claims to have a brand new automobile able to superior Stage 4 autonomous driving that it hopes to begin promoting within the Center East, Europe, and the US by the top of subsequent yr.
Although technically an upstart, Tensor truly launched in 2016 and spent a number of years in China, recognized again then as AutoX. An organization spokesperson defined to CarBuzz that its core operations have all the time been in California, and that “all AutoX operations in China have since been divested, with all workplaces closed and the model’s China operations totally discontinued. Tensor is now solely an American firm with no lively presence or operations in China.”
It is unclear how a lot analysis and improvement within the new automobile, recognized merely because the Tensor Robocar, is drawn from AutoX’s former China operations. Earlier stories verify AutoX carried out intensive driverless automobile testing in China.
What Is The Tensor Robocar?
Tensor’s new automobile is creatively dubbed the “Robocar,” geared up with over 100 sensors to allegedly be able to Stage 4 autonomy. The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) defines Stage 4 autonomous functionality as: “when engaged, the system is totally answerable for driving duties inside restricted service areas,” and that: “a human driver isn’t wanted to function the automobile.” The corporate mentions it may be calibrated to different ranges of autonomy, and it additionally comes geared up with a foldable steering wheel and show for situations the place a driver might want or must take management.
It is A Non-public Affair
At this stage, the automobile is meant for private and personal possession, in line with the corporate’s positioning. The web site mentions self-driving operation in “zones,” however admits that exterior of those designated zones, the motive force will “simply take the wheel or swap to assisted driving for a clean handoff between autonomy and management.” All of the automobile methods are managed by a central AI pc with parts from Nvidia.
The web site lists a veritable warehouse of technical parts utilized by the automobile, together with: “37 cameras, 5 LiDARs, 11 radars, 22 microphones, 10 ultrasonic sensors, 3 IMUs, GNSS, 16 collision detectors, 8 water-level detectors, 4 tire-pressure sensors, 1 smoke detector, and triple-channel 5G.” It additionally mentions devoted sensor cleansing expertise, and a double-thinking AI logic setup with the primary operation imitating discovered driving habits, with a second operation centered on decision-making and rarer edge instances.
The automobile itself is totally electrical on an 845V high-voltage platform, with a ZF-developed four-wheel steering setup and air suspension. There’s additionally a dimmable sunroof and double-laminated glass for a quieter cabin. The seats supply heating, cooling, and massaging, and in self-driving mode, there are two giant screens on the dashboard, one for every entrance seating place. The Robocar has seating for 5 passengers.
Engineered To Be Secure
If one thing does go unsuitable, the automobile is claimed to be engineered to the strictest world requirements, together with “FMVSS, IIHS Prime Security Decide+, and US N-cap 5-Star rankings, together with rigorous European and GCC requirements.” It is price noting that, so far as we will inform, the automobile hasn’t truly acquired any certifications for these requirements presently. Tensor additionally says that, due to the AI mannequin, all knowledge is saved regionally on the automobile, and does not require a cloud connection, which reinforces knowledge safety.
Tensor states it has arrange a relationship with Marsh for the world’s first “robocar” insurance coverage insurance policies. There’s an exterior palm reader for entry and not using a key, and inside facial sensors to unlock sure screens or features. There are additionally exterior screens that show “Carmoji” graphics that attempt to talk what the automobile system is doing.
To Tensor’s credit score, there’s at the least one full-scale automobile in existence – one thing we do not all the time see with startups. The corporate says the primary manufacturing fashions will probably be constructed by VinFast in Vietnam, which is an attention-grabbing selection contemplating that VinFast is meant to be constructing a brand new manufacturing unit in North Carolina. That will assist Tensor keep away from a few of the new US tariffs on imported automobiles and parts.
As The Verge factors out, Tensor has a historical past in China. It appears attainable they face some distinctive hurdles in attending to market within the close to future. Photographs additionally present cameras and inside screens rather than conventional aspect mirrors, which haven’t but been permitted for US automobiles. AutoX, earlier than its rebranding to Tensor, was established and testing automobiles within the US since 2016, although it is unclear how a lot testing this precise mannequin has gone by means of up to now.
Tensor says it’s going to promote the Robocar within the US, Europe, and the UAE beginning within the second half of 2026. Nonetheless, it isn’t clear if any of those markets’ governance will set up new guidelines concerning self-driving automobiles and their operation and possession by that date.
Because it stands proper now, there are only a few locations on this planet the place even Stage 3 automation is allowed. That system accommodates hands-off and eyes-off driving on restricted roads at sure speeds, although a driver have to be able to assume management at any time. Palms-free methods like Ford BlueCruise and Tesla Autopilot with FSD are thought of Stage 2+.
So whereas Tensor may need a technology-packed automobile, present legal guidelines and automobile infrastructure just about rule out any Stage 4 operation for the foreseeable future. Pricing can be unknown, however as with nearly each automotive startup asserting a brand new product, you may get on a ready checklist to purchase one.
Supply: Tensor/AutoX; The Verge