Tesla is hiring drivers to test ‘Autopilot’ before its launch in India

Tesla, one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) companies, is preparing to enter the country’s market soon. Before this, the company is hiring drivers in the capital Delhi and Mumbai for testing its ‘Autopilot’ system. These drivers will work as ‘Prototype Vehicle Operators’. Their responsibility will be to collect important data by driving engineering vehicles in real local conditions.

According to a media report, applications have been sought from experienced and skilled drivers in the job posting given by Tesla. These drivers will have to drive for several hours in urban conditions. The selected drivers will have to collect data through Tesla’s advanced sensor mechanism. This includes external cameras and computer vision. Tesla has stated that the drivers applying should have knowledge of Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS) and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. The company’s advanced driver assistance system is designed to enhance safety and convenience.

All the company’s vehicles in North America include Tesla Vision. It is a camera-based system supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which does not require reliance on radar. Testing will be done to prepare this system according to the road conditions in the country. In the last few years, competition has increased in the EV market for Tesla. This is also affecting the company’s sales and profit. In the first quarter of the current year, the company’s net profit has decreased by 71 percent. In the international market of EV, China’s BYD’s sales have increased rapidly in the last few years. Last year, BYD overtook Tesla in revenue from sales of electric cars. It sells both electric and hybrid cars, while Tesla’s portfolio includes only electric cars.

The company’s first showroom in India can open in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. Recently, the company leased about 4,000 square feet of space in Maker Maxity building in BKC. The company can start business in the country in the second half of this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with the company’s chief, Elon Musk, in April. After this, Musk had indicated that he could visit the country soon.