--- title: "Tesla Computer Hardware Stuns Competitors: “We Cannot Do It”" description: "Nikkei Asian Review recently did a teardown of a Tesla Model 3. Engineers were shocked at how advanced the company's onboard computer technology was." date: "2020-02-18" modified: "2020-02-18" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-computer-hardware-stuns-competitors" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "Model 3" - "Self-driving cars" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla Computer Hardware Stuns Competitors: “We Cannot Do It” ![Nikkei Asian Review recently did a teardown of a Tesla Model 3. Engineers were shocked at how advanced the company's onboard computer technology was.]() *\Image: Tesla/Victor Tangermann\* ## Teardown Japanese business newspaper *Nikkei Asian Review* recently conducted [a teardown]() of a Tesla Model 3, and engineers were shocked at how advanced the electric car company's onboard computer technology was. "We cannot do it," an unnamed Japanese engineer at a rival car company said after analyzing the Model 3's integrated central control unit, as quoted by *Nikkei* — referring to legacy automakers' inability to catch up to Tesla's AI chips. ## Next Gen The current generation of Tesla's "Hardware 3" chips, which it started installing in vehicles last year, have enough computational power to enable Tesla vehicles to fully drive themselves, [according to CEO Elon Musk](). But as of right now, Tesla's fleet's self-driving capabilities are limited to Level 2 — out of five, in which level 5 is fully autonomous — or "partially autonomous." That means they're able to handle things like changing lanes, making turns, and navigating parking lots without a driver in the seat. ## Six Years Ahead Nonetheless, according to Nikkei, the rest of the industry is expecting the same level of technology to make it into cars no sooner than 2025, prompting experts to suggest Tesla is a full six years ahead of the competition. The hold up, according to *Nikkei,* is likely related to established automakers' legacy supply chains. Tesla is a newer company that can choose its partners more freely, in other words, effectively leapfrogging the competition. **READ MORE:** [Tesla teardown finds electronics 6 years ahead of Toyota and VW]() \[*Nikkei Asian Review*\] **More on Tesla hardware:** *[Elon Musk: $2,000 Tesla Computer Upgrade Not Worth It]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()