Mask claimed full autonomous pilot for all Teslas since 2016, but now a hardware upgrade is required at specialized microfactories.

In 2016 Tesla announced that its electric vehicles would be ready for full autonomy in the coming years if reliable software appeared.

Today the company admits that this will require a serious upgrade of the cars that were already on sale at that time.

What exactly needs to be changed
System Year installed What’s included Why it’s obsolete
HW2 2016‑2023 Onboard computer + camera set (for autopilot) Chips and cameras cannot process the complex neural networks required for FSD.
HW3 Spring 2019 – early 2023 New chip, improved cameras Supports a more advanced autopilot but still lacks memory bandwidth and camera quality.
HW4 2023‑now The fastest chip (8× more memory) + upgraded cameras Designed for full FSD when suitable software is available.

How Tesla is addressing the issue
1. Free HW2 → HW3 replacement

With a full FSD subscription, the company replaced only the onboard computer, leaving the cameras unchanged.

2. HW3 → HW4 – harder

Transition requires replacing both chip and cameras, so it can’t be done with minimal effort.

3. Adapted software for HW3

Tesla is trying to compensate for the lack of full FSD on HW3 by offering updated software versions. Improvements arrive slowly and don’t match HW4 machines.

Planned actions in the near future
- Large‑scale upgrade

Elon Musk announced an intention to accelerate the shift from HW3 to HW4.

- Trade‑in of new models

Owners of older cars can obtain new vehicles with HW4 under favorable terms.

- “Micro‑factories” in cities

Specialized service centers will handle HW3 → HW4 upgrades, including cameras. Musk noted that regular services are too slow and separate sites are needed nationwide.

- Upgrade cost

It’s still unclear whether owners will have to pay extra. When moving from HW2 to HW3 the company charged only those who subscribed to FSD, not those who paid for it outright.

Conclusion
For Tesla cars to truly become “fully autonomous,” they need HW4 and matching software. The company is already working to make this transition quick and accessible for owners of older models, but questions about cost and implementation timelines remain.