Elon Musk announced that the upcoming Tesla Roadster will feature autonomous stunt capabilities. Following the vehicle's unveiling on October 15 at the SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, Musk stated that the car will be sentient enough to execute complex maneuvers on command. These tricks include climbing ramps, driving upside down, and performing aerial flips.
The stunt system utilizes steer-by-wire technology combined with cold gas thrusters, similar to those used by SpaceX for spacecraft attitude control. According to Tesla, this hardware generates four to five times more force than tires alone, allowing the vehicle to clear obstacles like parked trucks. The demo car featured 10 nozzles and high-pressure air tanks to facilitate these movements.
Tesla plans to construct a specialized looping track at its Giga Texas headquarters for owners to test these features. However, the company has not provided details regarding the track's layout, cost, or opening date. The Roadster itself remains in development, with production currently targeted for the late 2020s, specifically around 2028.
The stunt-capable version, referred to as the Rocket package, is reportedly restricted to invite-only customers. The base model of the Roadster is expected to feature a zero-to-60 mph time of approximately 1.9 seconds, a top speed of 250 mph, and a range of 620 miles. The current stunt-capable prototype is not approved for use on public roads.
