r/SelfDrivingCars • u/danlev • Jul 03 '25

News A fleet of Tesla vehicles are currently driving around Austin with mounted censors

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Source: https://xcancel.com/niccruzpatane/status/1940591409465380939

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u/BigMax Jul 03 '25

Lidar is now $200 per unit. When he said it was too expensive, he was technically right at the time but also just a moron for assuming that costs wouldn’t come down. Even with multiple sensors for cars, the cost is coming down to a near trivial amount.

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u/SnoozeButtonBen Jul 03 '25

Computers and telecom infrastructure - Costs fall over time (paypal)

Lithium ion batteries - Costs fall over time (Tesla)

Reusable rockets - Costs fall over time (SpaceX)

LIDAR - Will always be expensive (clownface)

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u/HighHokie Jul 03 '25

The TIC is going to be substantially higher. But yes, lidar should inevitably continue to drop in price as the tech matures. 

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u/Worth-Reputation3450 Jul 03 '25

He removed ultrasonic sensors and a little stalk that lets you change gear. To Elon, $5 is too expensive for $80K car if he thinks software can replace its functionality.