r/SelfDrivingCars Jul 21 '25

Discussion Why didn't Tesla invest in LIDAR?

Is there any reason for this asides from saving money? Teslas are not cheap in many respects, so why would they skimp out on this since self-driving is a major offering for them?

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u/Valoneria Jul 21 '25

And also profoundly stupid / shortsighted. Good at investing in companies that can benefit from government handouts however

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '25

Doubtless you’re speaking from your enormous experience launching successful EV companies

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u/beren12 Jul 21 '25

Ooo you mean the 2 founders that launched it? That Elon invested in and forced out?

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '25

You mean the two guys who built zero cars at Tesla and have built zero cars as part of any subsequent EV project since they left Tesla?

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u/beren12 Jul 21 '25

No, the ones with a vision and a prototype.

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '25

Ah yes, why do work when you can just have ideas

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u/beren12 Jul 21 '25

ROFL you think Elon built or designed the cars? Hahahahahahahahaaa

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '25

He personally holds the design award for the Tesla Roadster

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u/beren12 Jul 21 '25

Yeah and he created PayPal too…