Tesla and Samsung reportedly reach deal to supply new self-driving cameras

According to The Korea Economic Daily, Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., an electronic components subsidiary of Samsung Group, has received a contract worth about 4 trillion to 5 trillion won ( about $3.2 billion to $4 billion) tosupply new camera modules for most of Tesla’selectric vehicles .

Samsung is providing a 5-megapixel camera module of version 4.0, which displays images that are 5 times clearer than the camera module of version 3.0.This would be a major upgrade over the cameras Tesla uses in its current suite of Autopilot sensors, which have a resolution of only around 1.2 megapixels.

In the next few years, Samsung's new cameras will be used in all of Tesla's vehicles, including the Model 3 sedan, Model S sedan, Model X SUV, Model Y crossover, Cybertruck and Tesla Semi semi truck, according to people familiar with the matter.It is reported that Samsung was also awarded a contract last year to supply cameras exclusively for the Tesla Cybertruck.

It is reported that Samsung will start mass production of the new camera as soon as next month.

Image source: Samsung Electro-Mechanics

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) project relies on cameras to capture images and feed its neural network.Unlike most other self-driving projects, Tesla does not use radar and lidar.However, according to recent reports from foreign media, Tesla has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the use of a new radar.

Tesla is currently relying on cameras, however, specifically the set of eight cameras in the current version of Autopilot's sensor.Last year, Tesla launched a project to refurbish older cars' "full self-driving" cameras.