Part 8/14:
A crucial part of the debate revolves around timelines and regulatory hurdles. Joe Bakti estimates that Full Self-Driving (FSD) could be ready for deployment around the second quarter of 2026. However, whether regulators will approve unattended robo taxi operations in major US states by then remains uncertain.
Bakti emphasizes that Tesla needs a clear regulatory pathway to scale its autonomous offerings effectively. Without it, Tesla might be forced to develop a more conventional vehicle with controls—a backup plan that could slow deployment but ensure compliance.