Tesla's AI5 Chip Set for Mass Production; AI6 Development Underway

On January 18, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the design of the AI5 chip for Full Self-Driving (FSD) is nearing completion, delivering a computational performance of 2,000–2,500 TOPS—approximately five times that of the current HW4 chip—and enabling support for more complex FSD algorithms. Sample production and limited deployment of the AI5 chip are scheduled for 2026, with mass production targeted for 2027. Meanwhile, Tesla has already initiated early development of its next-generation AI6 chip, expected to launch in 2028 and enter mass production by mid-year. The AI6 will feature a modular architecture, deeply integrating Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer chips and will be exclusively manufactured by Samsung Electronics, aiming to build a unified AI ecosystem linking vehicles, robots, and supercomputers. Industry observers note that the mass production timeline of the AI5 chip will directly impact the rollout of FSD and the advancement of Tesla’s robotics business.