Tensor Robocar: Silicon Valley AI firm unveils first absolutely autonomous car accessible to buy for shoppers

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — A San Jose synthetic intelligence firm has introduced the longer term to life within the automotive trade.

For the primary time ever, you possibly can personal a fully-autonomous car: the Tensor Robocar.

“It’s actually confirming that Silicon Valley remains to be on the lead,” AI professional Ahmed Banafa stated. “When firms in Silicon Valley take into consideration one thing, they do it. They do it massive. “

This automobile is constructed for autonomy, not merely an afterthought.

There are greater than 100 sensors on this car — together with cameras, radars, microphones and ultrasonic sensors.

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You’ll be able to take the wheel itself and drive it similar to another automobile.

However if you’re prepared, Banafa says you possibly can sit again, loosen up and let the automobile deal with the journey for you.

“This automobile is constructed to be autonomous, a robocar,” Banafa stated. “It isn’t a automobile, you’ve it and then you definitely add the gear on the high of it — like Tesla — and then you definitely convert it. No, they constructed it from scratch for this.”

There are six ranges of automation for self-driving vehicles from zero — a regular automobile — to 5, a fully-autonomous automobile in all situations.

Teslas have stage twos, with occasional self-driving.

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Mercedes Benz gives a restricted self-driving automobile at stage three.

Solely Waymo had a stage 4 — absolutely self-driving underneath sure situations — however now the Tensor robocar is the primary and solely stage 4 accessible for buy.

“Stage 4, which is the excessive automation,” Banafa stated. “The excessive automation is the place there is no human intervention wanted inside sure areas — metropolis facilities, you understand, shuttle routes, you understand, locations the place it is well-defined.”

Locations like right here within the Bay Space, the place you might even see these vehicles on the highway quickly sufficient.

Banafa says the value tag for this luxurious automobile will likely be excessive, however it is going to be on the market in 2026.