Elon Musk's vision of a revolutionary transportation system took shape three years ago in Las Vegas when the first section of the "Vegas Loop" was opened. This ambitious project by the Boring Company was originally intended to use automated transport pods to move vehicles underground and relieve traffic congestion above ground. In reality, however, the Vegas Loop has so far been a cab service in which Teslavehicles drive through single-lane tunnels - often with human drivers.
Progress and goals of the Vegas Loop
Although the system is already in operation with some stations, the Loop is to be expanded to over 100 kilometers of track and 93 stops in the long term. The ultimate goal is to Tesla-vehicles through the tunnels completely autonomously, without human drivers. The first steps in this direction should be taken by the end of this year, but there is still no concrete timetable for full implementation. The delays so far have caused scepticism in some circles as to whether the project can be realized as planned.
Challenges of autonomous driving in tunnels
The Vegas Loop theoretically offers ideal conditions for autonomous driving: Single-lane tunnels, no oncoming traffic, no pedestrians and no weather effects. This environment is far less complex than typical road traffic, which should actually make it a perfect area of application for Tesla's "Full Self-Driving (FSD)". But the autonomous system, which Tesla system used here has not yet achieved the hoped-for breakthrough.
Tesla Instead of radar and lidar sensors, FSD relies exclusively on external cameras and artificial intelligence. This decision has repeatedly led to criticism, as cameras alone can reach their limits in certain situations, such as backlighting or poor visibility.
Criticism and future prospects
The slow implementation of autonomous driving in the Vegas Loop has led to growing skepticism. Experts criticize that Tesla even under ideal conditions, the system will struggle to operate successfully. In light of these challenges, some are questioning whether traditional transportation systems such as subways would not be more efficient for such a tunnel system.
Nevertheless, the Vegas Loop remains a fascinating project with the potential to fundamentally change the way we get around in cities. Should it Tesla If the technical hurdles can be overcome and autonomous driving successfully implemented in the Loop, this could be a significant step towards a new, automated transportation system.
