Tesla targets AI6 tape-out in December; SpaceX dominates GPS and FSD arrives in Europe

Tesla advances on the AI6 chip and FSD expansion in Europe, while SpaceX takes over GPS launches; all with deadlines and figures.

Tesla is accelerating its AI hardware strategy with the AI6 chip. The AI6 tape-out could occur in December, maintaining the momentum already seen with the AI5 under development.

AI Roadmap: AI5, AI6, and beyond

The AI5 is in good shape and close to completion, described by leadership as an existential project for the company, also focusing on integrated software and hardware use. In terms of performance, the AI5 is pointed out as equivalent, in a single SoC, to Nvidia's Hopper class, and in a dual configuration, to Blackwell — but with lower cost and consumption.

For the AI6, the expectation is that, on the same reticle and process node, a single chip can match the performance of two AI5 SoCs. Tesla targets development cycles of about nine months for future chips, paving the way for AI7, AI8, and beyond. AI5/AI6 engineering remains Musk's priority, with him classifying AI5 as good and AI6 as excellent.

Regarding manufacturing, Samsung is expected to produce the AI6, while the AI5 will use combined production between TSMC and Samsung. These chips will support Full Self-Driving, Optimus robots, and data center operations with greater autonomy and efficiency.

Dojo 3 and the in-house manufacturing vision

Musk also resumed work on Dojo 3, with plans to move towards in-house manufacturing via the Terafab facility in the long term.

Accelerating development with AI tools helps reduce dependence on third-party GPUs, aiming to deliver high-performance and energy-efficient solutions integrated into the ecosystem.

SpaceX and GPS: supplier change for launches

On the space front, the Space Force switched the next GPS III launch from ULA's Vulcan to SpaceX's Falcon 9. Space Vehicle 09, originally scheduled for this month, is expected to lift off in late April aboard the Falcon 9, marking the fourth GPS III satellite shifted to SpaceX since the program began.

The decision was motivated by a solid rocket motor anomaly that occurred in February during the USSF-87 mission, leading to a pause in Vulcan launches until the cause is investigated. SpaceX emerges as the most reliable option, strengthening its role in national security space.

FSD in Europe: regulatory progress

Tesla announced a significant breakthrough for the European expansion of FSD (Supervised). Documentation for UN R-171 approval and Article 39 exemptions has been submitted, and the RDW has started internal review. Approval in the Netherlands is scheduled for April 10th, after being postponed from March 20th.

The company has already logged over 1.6 million kilometers of FSD (Supervised) testing on European roads, with over 13,000 customer rides, 4,500 track scenarios, and thousands of pages of documentation covering 400 compliance requirements, in addition to several independent safety assessments.

EU regulatory changes, including amendments to UN R-171 adopted in 2025, allow for lane changes with hands-off driving on highways, which facilitates the path to adoption. With Dutch approval, mutual recognition could lead to rapid adoption in other EU countries, possibly by Summer 2026. FSD is already available in the US and may reach China and other markets in the 2026 window, including the United Arab Emirates.

For European readers, approval would unlock advanced autonomy features, strengthening Tesla's leadership in global autonomous mobility.

Timelines are subject to manufacturing realities and regulatory evolution, but the path to AI, robotics, and autonomy is becoming more concrete with each step.

Comment: Do you believe AI6 will accelerate autonomous driving and robotics? And is SpaceX's bet on GPS, relying on a single supplier, a safe strategy for critical launches? Leave your opinion in the comments.