The Tensor Robocar will be a Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Available for Private Purchase

• This Luxury Autonomous SUV will be manufactured by VinFast in Vietnam.

• The steering wheel and pedals will retract when not in use.

• The company claims customer deliveries could start in the second half of 2026.

Tensor is an Ai company that wants to dip its toe in the automotive industry with what it describes as the world’s first Level-4 autonomous vehicle designed for private use.

Currently, most “autonomous” vehicles are only equipped with level 2 systems, which require constant supervision by the driver, who can be asked to take back control at a moment’s notice.

Some companies, such as Mercedes-Benz, have developed level 3 technologies which can take over driving tasks completely, but only when certain criteria are met.

To be considered a level 4 autonomous vehicle, the Tensor Robocar will therefore need to take care of all driving tasks in most conditions, except when visibility is very low, or when the road is covered in snow, for example.

Since the driver should never be required to take over driving on the spot once the system is active, the steering wheel and pedals will retract into the dashboard when autonomous driving is selected. We will come back to the Tensor’s interior shortly.

While Tensor describes its first vehicle as a luxury SUV, it is clear it doesn’t intend on the vehicle’s design to attract buyers. Indeed, the external appearance of the robocar is pretty awkward and looks more like a plus-sized Prius than a traditional premium SUV.

In addition, the numerous sensors needed for its advanced technologies are not easily integrated into the design, and many of them are placed into a sort of forehead on top of the windshield, which is itself surmounted by a rounded box that resembles an old police car’s rotating beacon.

Speaking of sensors, the Tensor Robocar will have over 100 of them, including 37 cameras, 22 microphones, 16 collision detectors, 11 radars, 10 ultrasonic sensors, 8 water-level detectors, 5 lidars, 3 IMUs (Inertial Measurement Unit) a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and even a smoke detector.

To make sure all of these sensors stay clean enough to function even in inclement weather, the company has installed motorized covers that protect them when the vehicle is not in use as well as wipers and washer jets that can clean them while on the road.

Inside, Tensor has chosen a minimalist theme for its luxury SUV, as apart from the seats, two large display screens and a Tesla-style yoke steering wheel, there aren’t many physical elements worth mentioning.

In front of the driver are two large monitors that look like oversized tablet computers complemented by two smaller screens in each front door panels which display the live feed from the digital side mirrors.

As mentioned earlier, the steering wheel and the pedals can retract when the driver doesn’t want to assume manual control, which creates enough space for the centre screen to slide over in front of the driver’s seat.

The rear seat passengers are also treated to a dual-screen entertainment system and a 128-colour ambient lighting system adds visual interest to the otherwise plain cabin.

Since Tensor is an Ai company first and foremost, artificial intelligence will play a key part in the way the vehicle interacts with its occupants and with the outside world.

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For the driving aspect, two Ai systems team up to provide both quick responses to normal driving conditions via imitation learning from expert drivers and more complex reasoning for rare edge cases, which should allow the vehicle to remain autonomous even in rain or fog, both of which severely limit the capabilities of current autonomous technologies.

In addition, Ai will constantly monitor the cabin through cameras and microphones to allow passengers to control the vehicle by saying things like “drop me off at the airport and go back home”, or “pick up mom at her house and bring her here”.

The Tensor Robocar will even be able to communicate to other drivers via CarMojis displayed on external screens.

The company says it is focused on privacy, and therefore, all data is processed locally or encrypted end-to-end for access via a smartphone app. In addition, there are physical covers and off switches for interior cameras and microphones.

We don’t know the full technical details yet, but Tensor has announced a partnership with VinFast, who will manufacture the Robocar at their factory in Vietnam.

Other details that have been revealed include the basic dimensions of the vehicle, which will be significantly longer and wider than the 7-passenger Cadillac Vistiq, for example.

Range or power details are unknown, but the 112-kWh battery pack should be able to charge from 20 to 80% in just 10 minutes.

Four-wheel steering and an air suspension will also be included, along with PalmRead technology to allow access without a key or phone.

To provide insurance for the first privately owned Level 4 autonomous vehicle, Tensor has partnered with Marsh, an American insurance company.

Tensor plans to have the first deliveries take place in the second half of 2026, which seems ambitious.

At present, the Robocar is intended to be available in the United States, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Carscoops