Tesla buys technology described by Elon Musk as “strangely stupid”

Tesla is the supplier by Luminar biggest LiDAR customers in the first quarter of 2024, even though the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s CEO has previously called the technology “outrageously stupid.”

The automaker has been known to remove ultrasonic and radar sensors from its vehicles, and its CEO has criticized others’ use of LiDAR technology.

Even so, Tesla still accounted for “more than 10%” of Luminar’s first-quarter revenue. With the vendor reporting total revenue of $21 million for the period, that number would be about $2 million.

It is unclear where Tesla used the LiDAR technology acquired from Luminar.

LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is a system that detects objects and their distances through lasers with infrared wavelengths, beyond the range of human vision.

This technology is becoming increasingly common in cars, helping to power semi-autonomous driving technology. Geely-owned Volvo and Lotus, as well as Chinese electric car brand Nio are among the companies deploying LiDAR technology.

But Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously criticized the use of the technology in cars.

“It’s like having a bunch of expensive accessories,” he said at Tesla’s 2019 Autonomy Day event.

“Just like one addendum is bad, what about a whole bunch of addendums? That’s ridiculous. You will see.”

He also called LiDAR “a fool’s errand” in 2019, adding “anyone relying on LiDAR is doomed.”

“In a car, that’s stupid. It’s expensive and unnecessary and once you solve the vision it becomes worthless,” Mr. Musk said.

“They will all eliminate LiDAR, that is my prediction – mark my words,” he added, noting that “[doesn’t] really really hate LiDAR.”

Volvo is set to introduce its new flagship electric vehicle EX90 This year’s SUV will be the first application of LiDAR technology from Luminar.

The brand claims the use of Luminar’s LiDAR sensor will allow it to detect pedestrians at a distance of up to 250m in front of the vehicle, while also being able to distinguish tires on dark or black roads at distances of up to 120m in front of the car.

THAN: What is LiDAR and who is Luminar?