Autonomous NY to LA trip will be in a Model 3 [Speculation]

[LittleHobo]

I would put money on the announced autonomous trip from NY to LA by the end of 2017 being done in a Model 3.

Why? What better way to show off both at once.

I bet it will also happen before any Model 3 deliveries.

It would be a classic bold Tesla move: high stakes, high reward.

 

[kort677]

I'd take that bet!
I think that you're wrong on this.
we can even split the bet into to parts,
1. the model 3 being delivered in 2017
and 2. autonomous driving being available in 2017.

 

[MP3Mike]

2. autonomous driving being available in 2017.

He didn't say it would be available he said it would be demoed. (Just like they demoed the FSDC as part of the AP2 release.)

 

[BluestarE3]

A question mark needs to be appended to the thread title. It's speculation/desire by the OP rather than a statement of fact.

 

[LittleHobo]

A question mark needs to be appended to the thread title. It's speculation/desire by the OP rather than a statement of fact.

Fair enough, and I would be happy to make a change, but I think the window to edit has passed. I do see quite a number of speculative thread titles written this way so I hope it doesn't create much confusion.

 

[garsh]

Yeah, I don't think it will be demonstrated with a 3 either.

Remember, the S and X will remain Tesla's premium vehicles, and will therefore receive new features & updates first. Demonstrating autonomous technology in the S/X means that those models continue to sell well. And that's where Tesla makes the most margin.

Besides, Musk will want a large party to introduce the final production Model 3, much like the first reveal.

 

[eisbock]

I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but Model 3 is a different car than Model S, which means Autopilot will have to be programmed slightly differently. The S will have much more real-world data and likely be the more capable autonomous vehicle at that point compared to the 3, meaning it would make more sense to demo a fully autonomous drive using the vehicle they're most comfortable with (could be X too).

Then again, that may be entirely insignificant since we're literally talking inches in physical size difference.

 

[BluestarE3]

Then again, that may be entirely insignificant since we're literally talking inches in physical size difference.

It'll need to be an S with the big hatchback and folding rear seats so they can fit a mattress back there for the human attendant(s) who will accompany the car in its autonomous cross-country trek.

 

[Hodginator]

Maybe they will do it with all 3 vehicles. It will be autonomous S3X which sounds a little weird.

 

[JeffK]

Maybe they will do it with a Tesla semi truck... nah. They said the vehicle will drop off the passenger in Times Square.

 

[Cloxxki]

What a chance to also promote a super-range Model S! It's not dead just yet. Nearly double the range of the original 85.

Tesla can optimize the SC network (if not already) to make it a really quick run. Skipping superchargers may hardly cost time once the chargers are upgraded a bit, and a the car has a huge battery to take on some 70kWh in half an hours, real world. Of course Snakes would need to be installed on the route.
It may not NEED to stop often, but it would be nice to offer many people a chance to ride along for a stint.

 

[JeffK]

It may not NEED to stop often, but it would be nice to offer many people a chance to ride along for a stint.

It might be full of Tesla engineers. It'll no doubt has a human "driver" monitoring it the whole time.

 

[bro1999]

Didn't Elon say way back he would take a coast to coast road trip with his whole family in a S? Did he ever do that? Or maybe the divorce put a kibosh on that?

 

[Chopr147]

autonomous S3X

I don't want to see that or even know WTH it means!

 

[ohmman]

mod note: title amended so as not to be misleading/clickbait.

 

[BluestarE3]

autonomous S3X

I don't want to see that or even know WTH it means!

Something to do with the snake chargers perhaps?

 

[Garlan Garner]

Didn't Elon say way back he would take a coast to coast road trip with his whole family in a S? Did he ever do that? Or maybe the divorce put a kibosh on that?

Why would a billionaire do that? Divorce or not.

 

[bro1999]

Why would a billionaire do that? Divorce or not.

Ok, turned out he did make the trip. Pre-divorce.

Elon Musk Cross Country Tesla Model S Family Road Trip Now Underway

 

[Chopr147]

Why would a billionaire do that? Divorce or not.

Why would any man in his right mind do that? I love my family and we have done some NY to Florida trips.........not fun!

 

[ohmman]

Why would a billionaire do that? Divorce or not.

Why would any man in his right mind do that? I love my family and we have done some NY to Florida trips.........not fun!

The better question is how did Elon find the time to do that while being CEO of two other companies? Billionaire or not, road trips can be fun. I love taking them with my family, and would have no problem at all going cross country with my wife and kids. I'd leave all my billions in the bank, of course.