The Initial Self-Driving Robocar You Can Own Conceals Its Steering Wheel Until It Requires You To Take Control | Carscoops

      Tensor has introduced an autonomous vehicle aimed at private ownership.

      This vehicle is a spacious luxury crossover featuring retractable pedals and steering wheel.

      The launch is slated for 2026, with production taking place in Vietnam by VinFast.

      While various companies are concentrating on robotaxis, Tensor has presented the first “fully autonomous L4 robocar that can be owned.” This bold assertion comes from a company that has struggled to assemble a proper press kit, so it’s understandable if we are cautious about fully trusting them.

      From the mixed details provided, it appears their robocar is essentially a “luxury crossover SUV” reminiscent of an oversized Toyota Prius. It showcases an unusual front end equipped with sensors and SignalScreens. These screens communicate with other road users through CarMoji.

      In terms of design, the vehicle boasts streamlined bodywork, aerodynamic wheels, and digital side mirrors that help achieve a drag coefficient of 0.253. The robocar also includes double-laminated glass along with rear coach doors for convenient entry and exit. Notably, these doors employ PalmRead technology, allowing access without keys or a phone.

      Regarding dimensions, the robocar spans 217.5 inches (5,525 mm) in length, 89 inches (2,261 mm) in width, and 78.3 inches (1,989 mm) in height, with a wheelbase measuring 124 inches (3,150 mm). This makes it significantly larger than other electric crossovers like the Cadillac Vistiq and Tesla Model X.

      A Transforming Cabin

      The interior appears somewhat basic, yet it is distinguished by its retractable pedals and steering wheel. When the steering wheel is hidden within the dashboard, a display moves into position in front of the ‘driver.’

      There is also a front passenger display and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. Tensor mentioned that the vehicle is well-equipped with a heated steering wheel and heated, ventilated, massaging seats. Additional features include suede and fabric upholstery, a 128-color ambient lighting system, and dual wireless smartphone chargers.

      Although the interior is fairly unremarkable, the company asserts that this model is the “world’s first AI agentic car,” going “far beyond a basic voice assistant.” They claim an “AI agent continuously processes data from in-cabin cameras, microphones, and other sensors,” allowing owners to give commands such as, “Pick up Mom from her house and bring her here” or “Drop me off at the airport and then return home."

      Despite the extensive monitoring technology, Tensor emphasizes a commitment to privacy, stating that all data is processed and stored locally. However, they also noted that “users can access their data via the end-to-end encrypted smartphone app,” and it’s important to acknowledge that anything connected to the internet isn’t entirely secure. On a positive note, for those concerned about privacy and security, the vehicle is equipped with physical camera covers and microphone off switches.

      Electric and Autonomous

      Details about the powertrain are limited, but the company indicates that the model is an EV with a 112 kWh battery pack. When the battery is low, it can charge from 20% to 80% in as little as 10 minutes. Tensor also noted that the crossover has four-wheel steering and air suspension.

      The highlight is the Level 4 autonomous driving technology, enabling the vehicle to “operate entirely without driver input under defined conditions.” This capability is supported by over 100 sensors, including 37 cameras, 5 lidars, 11 radars, 22 microphones, 10 ultrasonic sensors, 3 IMUs, GNSS, and various detectors.

      Nevertheless, if driving manually is preferred, users still have the option to take control as they would with any other vehicle.

      Given that the robocar is intended for everyday consumers who won’t spend time preparing it for each trip, Tensor needed to devise a way to protect and maintain the numerous sensors. Consequently, there is an intelligent cleaning system featuring dedicated wipers and nozzles, along with protective sensor covers that deploy when the vehicle is not in use. The car also offers self-diagnosis to ensure all systems are functional.

      Data collected from sensors is processed by an onboard supercomputer with 8,000 TOPs. There’s also a “dual-system AI” designed to mimic human thinking. Tensor stated, “System 1 delivers fast, reflexive responses through imitation learning from expert drivers, while System 2 utilizes a sophisticated multimodal Visual Language Model to reason through rare and complex situations.” The goal is to achieve reliable navigation even in challenging weather conditions.

      Tensor further asserted that their “advanced electrical and electronic architecture ensures full-stack redundancy across power, communications, and control, guaranteeing operational performance in any scenario.”

      Could Arrive As Early As Next Year

      While many questions remain, the company has collaborated with VinFast, which will manufacture the robocar at their Hai Phong facility in Vietnam. If schedules proceed as planned, the first deliveries are expected