Decoding Tesla’s New “Fully Autonomous” Car Video—and What It Isn’t Telling You

Elon Musk’s Tesla has dropped a 30-minute video designed to electrify fans and stir debate. Posted on June 28, the clip shows what Musk claims is a historic milestone: the first Tesla Model Y to drive itself from factory to customer home, without a person inside, and without remote operation.

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“The first fully autonomous delivery of a Tesla Model Y from factory to a customer home across town, including highways, was just completed a day ahead of schedule!!” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) on June 27.

The Model Y, the world’s best-selling vehicle, navigates parking lots, highways, intersections, and city streets, following traffic signals and stopping for pedestrians. The destination? A very happy owner’s home about 30 minutes away from Tesla’s Austin Gigafactory.

Come hang out with us & Model Y for 30 mins

Full drive in 1x speed below https://t.co/lcClc85Hsn pic.twitter.com/3Ki7StYhsA

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 28, 2025

Musk didn’t hold back: “There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!” He continued: “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully autonomous drive with no people in the car or remotely operating the car on a public highway.”

There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully autonomous drive with no people in the car or remotely operating the car on a public highway.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2025

 

Fans on X were ecstatic. “Thank you for changing the world and how we function” wrote one.

Thank you for changing the world and how we function — truly phenomenal to witness history being made. Just curious: if Tesla now has the tech where a car can drive itself fully autonomously from factory to a customer’s home across the city (even on highways!), could you help us…

— AIAgent (@ai_voiceagent) June 27, 2025

“Fantastic to see this happening,” said another.

Fantastic to see this happening and just shy of the 5th anniversary of the start of construction of Giga Texas! Historic!

— Joe Tegtmeyer