Silicon Valley startup Tensor plans to release the first personal Level 4 autonomous vehicle for consumers in the second half of 2026, challenging Tesla TSLA and other self-driving hopefuls in a high-stakes race for autonomy, Forbes reports.
The vehicle, built by Vietnamese automaker VinFast VFS, will combine "eyes off" self-driving capability with a folding steering wheel and retractable pedals that transform the driver's seat into a lounge-like space, the report says.
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Tensor, rebranded from robotaxi operator AutoX, departs from the common industry path of launching ride-hailing services first, instead offering a luxury electric vehicle that owners can either drive themselves or allow to operate fully autonomously in approved zones. The company emphasizes privacy, allowing drivers to disable remote access and keep their travel data stored only in the vehicle.
A Sensor Suite Built to Maximize Safety and Autonomy
Tensor's robocar will feature one of the most extensive sensor arrays in the industry, with 37 cameras, five custom lidars, 11 radars, multiple microphones, ultrasonic sensors, collision detectors, water sensors, and more, many with self-cleaning systems for uninterrupted performance.
Forbes says cameras under the chassis can detect obstacles beneath the vehicle, addressing a flaw that has plagued other autonomous systems.
The fully drive-by-wire architecture includes triple-redundant braking and steering systems to meet strict safety requirements, paired with high-resolution lidar capable of dense environmental mapping. Interior features such as folding pedals, a retractable yoke, and a sliding central display maximize cabin space during self-driving mode.
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AI Foundation Model and Supercomputer Power the Drive
The vehicle's intelligence will come from Tensor's proprietary "Foundation Model," a transformer-based AI system that Forbes says is similar in architecture to large language models like ChatGPT, designed for real-time decision-making and deep situational reasoning without relying on cloud servers. Tensor's AI blends rapid reflexive responses with slower, more deliberate analysis, enabling it to handle complex driving situations safely.
An onboard supercomputer delivering 8,000 tera operations per second of processing power will analyze sensor data in real time, supported by a triple-layer redundancy system for critical functions. This setup includes processors from Nvidia NVDA, Texas Instruments TXN, NXP Semiconductors NXPI, and Renesas, ensuring continued operation even if primary systems fail.
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Challenging Tesla's Delays in Consumer Self-Driving
Tesla has repeatedly promised unsupervised self-driving "within a year" for the past eight years, but Forbes says the company currently offers only supervised driver-assist systems. Tensor's approach directly targets the consumer market rather than starting with taxi fleets, a move that could differentiate it in a crowded field of autonomous vehicle developers.
Tensor acknowledges it will not be able to navigate every road at launch, focusing instead on highways and major arterials in non-snow regions. The company believes its combination of safety, privacy, and luxury will justify a price above existing premium EVs such as the Lucid Air, which ranges from $72,400 to $250,500.
If Tensor can deliver on its 2026 promise, the report says it could redefine personal mobility by making Level 4 autonomy available for purchase, shifting self-driving from a service you summon to a vehicle you own.
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