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Tesla seeks autonomy (for once) with driverless car

Michael James

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, doesn’t stay out of the automotive spotlight long. In addition to his innovative, expensive sports cars and a plan to soon drive one across the United States, the controversial entrepreneur is now joining other carmakers with a plan for a Tesla driverless car.

Musk said recently Tesla is planning to manufacturer a car capable of running on “auto-pilot” within the next three years. Several other carmakers and Internet monolith Google have announced plans for similar cars.

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO

Telsa’s autonomous car, according to Musk, could have 90 of the driving responsibility controlled by the vehicle’s computer system. A completely autonomous car would take longer to develop, Musk told The Financial Times newspaper. Tesla would built the car via its own technology.

Musk’s three-year timeline is more ambitious than other carmakers’ plans. Industry experts believe it will take 10 to 15 years before self-driving cars become a reality.

Germany’s Daimler AG and Japan’s Nissan have both said they hope to begin selling self-driving cars by the end of the decade. Google has fitted several cars with radar-like equipment that lets them navigate roads in California and Nevada.

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law last year allowing Tesla to test its self-driving cars on the road.

Article Last Updated: September 25, 2013.

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