From the very beginning, Tesla chose to use its own proprietary Linux-based operating system instead of relying heavily on CarPlay and Android Auto. This also meant that it had to develop its own mapping solution that would live at the center of its infotainment space.
These maps would need to seamlessly integrate with the vehicle to plan energy-efficient routes and dynamically adjust navigation based on the battery’s state of charge.
Tesla currently uses Google Maps for most of the underlying features of its Maps app for most of the world, with Baidu Maps data being leveraged in China. Some of the map data, such as street data and voice navigation, are preloaded and updated regularly. MapBox, another software provider that has been working on these projects for over a decade, supplies the routing engine.
Navigation Routing
In 2018, MapBox purchased the 'Valhalla' routing engine, which is now part of the core API MapBox provides to users and enterprise clients like Tesla. Valhalla includes features like expanded guidance with clear and concise instructions along the route, as well as turn restrictions, highway exit information, and time zones. Although Tesla relies on Google Map APIs to build out most of their navigation app, the routing is done on Tesla’s servers using Valhalla.
Some map features, such as live traffic visualization and satellite view, require a subscription to Tesla’s Premium Connectivity data plan to access; however, a vehicle with standard connectivity will still have access to traffic-based routing, the Trip Planner, and Supercharger stall availability.
Map Updates
Tesla releases new navigation maps about twice per year, but there is no hard rule. If the version of your maps is more than a year old, you may need to connect to WiFi to download the latest updates. Not having the latest map version could prevent certain features, such as FSD, from working. If you’re not able to connect to WiFi at home, you can try a Tesla Service Center, some Supercharger locations, or a local business that has WiFi access outside.
Keep in mind that map updates are several gigabytes in size and could take a considerable amount of time to download.
Map downloads are similar to software updates in that they are rolled out gradually and not everyone will have access to the latest version right away.
Unlike software updates, map updates are downloaded silently in the background when your vehicle is connected to WiFi, so you may not even be aware that your vehicle received newer navigation data.
What’s in a Map Update
Tesla uses a combination of streamed data and map data to display what you see on your navigation screen. The navigation data that is downloaded separately includes street-level data, speed limits, points of interest (business locations), and more.
While other data is actually streamed on request and you receive the latest version when you request it. This includes the navigation tiles or images, which are what you see visually on the navigation app. Routing is also computed on Tesla’s servers instead of in the vehicle if you have that option enabled under Controls > Navigation.
How to Check for a Map Update
On your car’s touchscreen, you can go to Controls > Software to see whether there is a map update available for your vehicle. Scroll down to Navigation Data, and your current map version will be listed underneath. It’ll look something like NA-2025.2-12345.
The navigation version consists of the region abbreviation, such as NA or EU, followed by the year and week number when the map data was created. The last five digits are the build number of the map data.
If your car is ready to download a map update but isn't connected to Wi-Fi, a download progress bar will appear, similar to a vehicle update. However, to download the most recent Tesla maps, your car must be connected to Wi-Fi.
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In a world first, Tesla has successfully completed its first fully autonomous delivery of a new vehicle from Gigafactory Texas to a customer’s home. While Musk announced this was coming, some of the details make the achievement even more impressive.
The first fully autonomous delivery of a Tesla Model Y from factory to a customer home across town, including highways, was just completed a day ahead of schedule!!
Congratulations to the @Tesla_AI teams, both software & AI chip design!
A Tesla Model Y left the factory, navigating highways at speeds up to 72mph, a day ahead of Tesla’s previously announced schedule. Most critically, Elon also confirmed two key factors that make this achievement even more impressive than Tesla’s launch of the Robotaxi last week.
There were no Safety Monitors in the car, and no remote operators took control of the Model Y at any time, really making this an amazing achievement.
While the launch of the Robotaxi was an amazing step for Tesla, this one easily takes the cake.
No Safety Monitor, No Passengers, No Limits
The significance of this event lies in just how it differs from the current Robotaxi service operating in Austin.
First and most importantly, there was no Safety Monitor. Nobody was sitting up front, ready to tap one of the emergency stop buttons on the screen. The vehicle was empty, fresh from the factory. This is the unsupervised experience and future that we’ve been waiting for.
Max speed was 72 mph -- Ashok Elluswamy
Why There Was No Safety Monitor
However, there is an important distinction with this autonomous ride — that there were no passengers. This is the crucial regulatory distinction. By operating as a logistics trip rather than as a commercial ride-hailing service, Tesla was likely able to bypass many of the stringent rules governing passenger transport.
This freedom is what enabled the other key difference: operating with fewer restrictions. That included a 72mph top speed on the highway, which is well outside the geofenced Robotaxi Network that’s currently available in Austin.
This event wasn’t a surprise - Elon had previously stated that Tesla expects the first fully autonomous delivery to happen on June 28th. He even worked some flex time into that, saying the timing could potentially slip into early July.
It turns out that additional time wasn’t needed, as Tesla ended up delivering its first vehicle a day early. It seems that Tesla is pulling data quickly from its fleet of slightly modified Model Ys cruising the streets of Austin, which likely enabled the confidence behind giving this the green light.
Video of the Drive
Tesla shared a video of the entire drive, from the vehicle leaving Giga Texas to it arriving at the customer’s home. The entire ride took 30 minutes, crossing parking lots and going on the highway.
This Tesla drove itself from Gigafactory Texas to its new owner's home ~30min away — crossing parking lots, highways & the city to reach its new owner pic.twitter.com/WFSIaEU6Oq
This successful delivery is another fantastic use case for FSD that could be another entire business in and of itself for Tesla. The ability to autonomously move vehicles, potentially with cargo inside them, has massive implications for both Tesla’s factory-to-customer logistics, as well as challenging other services like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes down the road.
Additionally, logistics-focused autonomy may be easier to scale than the Robotaxi network. It sidesteps many of the complex safety, liability, and customer-facing service challenges that come with carrying human passengers. This could be a faster and clearer path for regulatory approval.
Fork in the Road
But it's more than just a new business.
Back in 2022, Elon commissioned an art piece that now stands outside Giga Texas. It is, quite literally, A Fork in the Road. Part of Elon’s greater goal is to ensure we pass Fermi’s Great Filters, and that means ensuring we generate green energy, electrify and automate transportation, and move towards sustainable abundance.
Two years ago, I commissioned an art piece: A Fork in the Road.
Had to make sure that civilization took the path most likely to pass the Fermi Great Filters. pic.twitter.com/mYFzdAy6WF
The point of the fork here is that Tesla’s first autonomous delivery isn’t just a publicity stunt. We’re finally here, at the fork in the road. We’ve hit it - true autonomous capabilities being demonstrated on public highways under a specific and challenging set of conditions. That’s a true Level 4 autonomous capability with no one in the car.
While Robotaxi is a fantastic step towards changing personal transport, this successful delivery proves that there are even more uses to FSD beyond what we’ve seen so far.
Tesla has issued a new, voluntary safety recall for a small batch of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to an issue with improperly tightened fasteners in the first-row seats.
The recall impacts only about 48 vehicles and will require a Tesla service visit to resolve.
Improperly Tightened Fasteners
According to the recall notice, the issue stems from the first-row seating that may have been manufactured with improperly torqued fasteners that attach the seat back to the seat bottom. In some cases, the fasteners may be loose or missing, which could cause a rattle or the seat to detach.
This is a critical safety issue, as a seat back that is not properly anchored could detach, leaving the driver or passenger unsupported and increasing the risk of an accident.
According to Tesla’s investigation, this issue originated from a production change made for vehicles manufactured between April 3rd and May 7th of 2025. However, not all vehicles built within that date are impacted by the recall. The issue impacts 30 2026 Model Ys and 18 2025 Model 3s, across all variants, including RWD, AWD, and Performance (for the Model 3).
Thankfully, there have been no incidents related to this issue to date.
The Fix
Since this is a physical recall, Tesla will have to inspect impacted vehicles and replace and properly retorque the seat fasteners as needed, free of charge.
Owners of vehicles who have been impacted have already been contacted under the voluntary recall, and most vehicles should have been repaired by the time this notice is formally issued.
You can also check if your VIN is impacted by a recall using Tesla’s Recall Tool.
Tesla has noted the repair should take approximately one hour of work at a Service Center, and up to two hours if a Mobile Ranger addresses the recall.
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