Tesla buying technology described as “freaking stupid” by Elon Musk

Tesla was supplier Luminar’s largest LiDAR lawsuit successful the archetypal 4th of 2024, contempt the CEO of the electrical conveyance (EV) shaper having antecedently called the exertion “freaking stupid”.

The carmaker has famously dropped ultrasonic sensors and radar from its vehicles, and its CEO has been captious of others’ usage of LiDAR technology.

Despite this, Tesla accounted for “more than 10 per cent” of Luminar’s first-quarter revenue. Given the supplier reported full gross of US$21 cardinal during the period, that works retired to astir US$2 million.

It’s unclear wherever Tesla has utilized the LiDAR exertion it has acquired from Luminar.

LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is simply a strategy of detecting objects and their region done a laser with an infrared wavelength, beyond the scope of quality vision.

The exertion is becoming progressively communal successful cars, helping to powerfulness semi-autonomous driving technology. Geely-owned Volvo and Lotus, arsenic good arsenic Chinese EV marque Nio are among those that are rolling retired LiDAR technology.

But Tesla CEO Elon Musk has antecedently criticised the usage of the exertion successful cars.

“It’s similar having a full clump of costly appendices,” helium said astatine Tesla’s Autonomy Day lawsuit successful 2019.

“Like 1 appendix is bad, good however astir a full clump of them? That’s ridiculous. You’ll see.”

He besides referred to LiDAR arsenic a “fools’ errand” successful 2019, adding “anyone relying connected LiDAR is doomed”.

“In cars, it’s freaking stupid. It’s costly and unnecessary and erstwhile you solved imaginativeness it’s worthless,” said Mr Musk.

“They’re each going to dump LiDAR, that’s my prediction – people my words,” helium added, noting helium “[doesn’t] acutally ace hatred LiDAR”.

Volvo is acceptable to present its caller flagship electrical EX90 SUV this year, which volition beryllium its archetypal exertion of LiDAR exertion from Luminar.

The marque claims the usage of Luminar’s LiDAR sensor volition alteration it to observe pedestrians astatine up to 250m up of the car, portion besides being capable to separate a tyre connected a acheronian oregon achromatic roadworthy astatine up to 120m up of the vehicle.

MORE: What is LiDAR, and who is Luminar?