Tesla admits HW3 owners need upgrades for true 'Full Self-Driving'
techcrunch.com
April 22, 2026
2 min read
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44/100
Summary
Millions of Tesla owners will require hardware upgrades to utilize a future version of the Full Self-Driving software that operates without human supervision. This statement contradicts previous claims that such upgrades would not be necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk announced that millions of Tesla owners will require hardware upgrades to use a future version of Full Self-Driving software that operates without human supervision.
- Tesla's Hardware 3 vehicles will need new computers and cameras for the advanced Full Self-Driving capabilities, contradicting previous assurances that software updates would suffice.
- Musk acknowledged that upgrading Hardware 3 will be a challenging process, prompting Tesla to consider establishing micro-factories in major cities to manage the workload efficiently.
- Tesla plans to release slightly more advanced versions of Full Self-Driving software for Hardware 3 owners, but Musk confirmed that true unsupervised Full Self-Driving is not possible with the existing hardware.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- Users who have experienced both HW3 and HW4 report a significant improvement in driving capabilities, suggesting that HW4 offers a more natural and reliable self-driving experience.
Concerns
- Tesla's repeated claims that HW3 had all necessary hardware for Full Self-Driving have been called into question, raising concerns about transparency and trust in the company's promises.
- Many users feel misled by Tesla's marketing, believing that all Teslas would receive hardware upgrades for FSD without additional costs, which now appears to be untrue.
- The ongoing delays in delivering true Full Self-Driving capabilities have led to skepticism about Tesla's commitment to its promises, with some users labeling it a 'bait and switch'.
