Issue 408 - Robots everywhere: a first look at the Semi factory
FSD
Belgium moves to fast-track FSD approval
Belgium is considering a fast-track process for approving Full Self-Driving, as local authorities review the company’s data. This follows the Netherlands’ recent approval of FSD, which has encouraged other European countries, including Italy, to push for faster authorization.
FSD surpasses 10 billion miles, edging closer to unsupervised autonomy
Full Self-Driving has now crossed 10 billion miles driven worldwide, a massive milestone that fuels speculation about when unsupervised FSD may finally arrive. While all of this real-world data is being used to rapidly iterate and improve the autonomy stack, FSD remains a Level 2 system that still requires attentive drivers for now. Early unsupervised Robotaxi deployments in some U.S. cities show promise, may that translate into our cars soon.
FSD disengagement menu gets smaller and easier to live with 📷
The latest Full Self-Driving software update, 2026.2.9.10, shrinks the disengagement feedback menu and makes it less obstructive, allowing drivers to keep using important car features while the popup is on the screen. Users still cannot fully dismiss the menu without providing feedback, although a steering wheel mic-button shortcut now lets you quickly close it with a double press.
Long-awaited FSD V14 Lite update arrives for HW3 cars, roadmap finally clarified
A much-needed "V14 Lite" Full Self-Driving update is on the way for HW3 vehicles, addressing long-standing concerns from owners who felt neglected as new hardware pulled ahead. While HW3 cars cannot achieve full unsupervised autonomy, the upcoming update brings key improvements such as better urban navigation, enhanced parking, and smoother performance, albeit with limitations.
Robotaxi
Robotaxi in Austin expands to unsupervised evening service
The Robotaxi fleet in Austin is now operating unsupervised during evening hours, a significant step that removes the previous daylight-only restriction. This brings Austin in line with Dallas and Houston, where evening runs have been standard, and marks a meaningful technical achievement given the added challenges of low-light driving.
Optimus
Patents reveal next-level robotics for the Optimus hand and knee 📷
Newly published patents detail innovative mechanical solutions for the Optimus robot’s hands and knees, emphasizing biomimicry and efficiency. The hand patent describes a clever cable routing system that isolates wrist and finger movements to avoid unintended actions, though Elon Musk has since indicated this design was later changed after real-world testing. The knee patent borrows from human anatomy, using a four-bar linkage to boost leverage, stability, and power efficiency.
How GPS dead zones are solved: parking garages today, future-proofing for Optimus tomorrow
A vision-based localization system has been developed that removes reliance on GPS, enabling both vehicles and the Optimus robot to navigate places where satellite signals are unavailable, like underground parking garages or inside buildings. Instead of GPS, the neural network analyzes camera feeds to create a real-time 3D map using "voxels" and identifies visual anchors within the space, allowing precise, self-contained navigation.
Semi
Robots everywhere: a first look at the giant Semi factory 📹
This video offers a first-hand look inside the recently opened factory dedicated to the Semi truck, revealing substantial automation and the use of robotics across its assembly lines.
First Semi rolls off the high-volume production line
The first Semi truck has now been produced from the high-volume production line, marking an important step toward large-scale manufacturing of the electric Class 8 truck. Community discussion points to the lack of a sleeper cab, which could limit the vehicle’s appeal for long-haul use, and raises questions about the ability to compete with more established European cab-over truck designs.
Incentives
Referral rewards double in Europe for Model 3/Y buyers and referrers
European referral rewards have been doubled, with 2,000 kilometers of free Supercharging now offered to both buyers and referrers of new Model 3 or Model Y vehicles. While the U.S. referral program has shifted toward less generous perks, this move signals an ongoing push to increase market share, especially as production ramps up at Berlin.
🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.
FSD: Full Self-Driving