Tesla Halts China FSD Trial Awaiting Regulatory Approval

Tesla Inc. has announced a temporary halt to the rollout of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) trial in China, citing the need for regulatory approval. The company's customer support team confirmed this development on a microblogging platform, stating that all parties involved are actively working on the necessary procedures. The service will be pushed out as soon as preparations are complete, with the team expressing their anticipation for the upcoming launch and thanking users for their patience and trust.

The FSD trial, initially scheduled to run from March 17 to April 16, is a driving assistance technology system developed using generative artificial intelligence. It is designed to handle more complex road traffic conditions. Tesla had previously announced plans to fully deploy the FSD system this year, collaborating with a Chinese tech giant to enhance its performance.

In the United States, Tesla's FSD system does not rely on high-precision map data updates. Instead, its AI achieves superior driving performance through local training. However, in China, Tesla is restricted by data regulations from utilizing the data generated by its electric vehicles for system training. This regulatory environment has likely influenced Tesla's decision to pause the FSD trial until the necessary approvals are secured.

In late February, new regulations were issued requiring that over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades related to autonomous driving must undergo regulatory approval. Tesla's proactive approach in addressing these regulatory requirements underscores its commitment to compliance and safety in the Chinese market. The company's decision to pause the FSD trial until regulatory approval is obtained demonstrates its dedication to ensuring that the technology meets all necessary standards before being made available to users.