Elon Musk Responds to Volvo's Latest LiDAR Decision
Tesla's CEO Criticized LiDAR as a "Fool's Errand" After Volvo Discontinued Sensors on EX90 and ES90 Vehicles Due to Supplier Bankruptcy.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has responded to reports that Volvo is officially discontinuing LiDAR sensors on two of its vehicles, reinforcing his long-standing criticism of the technology.
What Happened
Volvo announced it would scrap LiDAR systems on its EX90 and ES90 vehicles in various markets after supplier Luminar filed for bankruptcy. In Norway, owners will receive €1,800 compensation for features that will never arrive due to this decision. There is no option to remove the unit from affected vehicles. Musk saw the story on X and responded: "I did try to warn them. Humans drive using neural nets and optical sensors. Same is true for robot cars." Musk has previously called LiDAR "a fool's errand," arguing it is unnecessary for effective self-driving.
Why It Matters
The discontinuation highlights supply chain vulnerabilities in advanced driver assistance systems, leaving owners without promised features. For buyers considering EX90 or ES90 purchases, the loss of LiDAR-based functionality raises questions about future software development timelines. Musk's response also reignites the ongoing debate between vision-only approaches like Tesla's and sensor-heavy systems used by competitors.
The Bottom Line
Volvo is phasing out its LiDAR program following Luminar's bankruptcy, with compensation offered to affected owners in some markets. Musk continues to advocate for camera-based autonomous driving, citing human driving as proof that optical sensors paired with neural networks are sufficient.
