Inside Tensor's Truly Self-Driving Robocar (w/ Tensor COO Jewel Li)

In this episode of Ride AI, host Sophia Tung interviews Jewel Li, COO of Tensor, about the company's groundbreaking Tensor Robocar—the first consumer-ready Level 4 self-driving vehicle designed from the ground up. Li shares her journey from engineering at Wuhan University and a PhD at the University of Delaware, to working on IBM Watson’s DeepQA system that defeated humans on Jeopardy. She discusses the evolution of autonomous driving, emphasizing the shift from retrofitted vehicles to purpose-built, sensor-rich designs. The Tensor Robocar features a unique 37-camera, 5-LiDAR, 11-radar, and 22-microphone sensor suite, including under-chassis cameras to solve the 'cold start' problem. The car’s 8,000 TOPS compute system, with dual redundant AI layers, ensures safety and future-proofing. A retractable steering wheel balances regulatory concerns with user experience, while the design prioritizes passenger comfort with reclining seats, a Dolby Atmos sound system, and a long, spacious cabin. Li reflects on Tensor’s origins as AutoX, its pivot from grocery delivery and robotaxis to a consumer-focused robocar, and the strategic decision to launch first in the UAE before expanding to the U.S. in 2027–2028. The company’s confidence in its timeline stems from five years of development and rigorous validation. Key takeaways include: 1) Purpose-built, ground-up design is essential for scalable, safe Level 4 autonomy; 2) Sensor redundancy and multi-modal perception (cameras, LiDAR, radar) are non-negotiable for safety; 3) The retractable steering wheel is a UX and safety innovation that addresses the risks of human override in full autonomy; 4) Massive on-board compute (8,000 TOPS) is necessary to run powerful main and backup AI systems; 5) The cold start problem—ensuring safety when the car is first powered on—requires under-chassis sensors; 6) Regulatory readiness in markets like the UAE, with Vision 2030 ambitions, is a key enabler; 7) The business model includes both personal ownership and fleet sharing via partnerships like Lyft and Green Mobility in Denmark; 8) Consumer demand for a truly self-driving car is growing, especially as the technology proves reliable and safe.