Tesla Roadster owners may soon request autonomous stunt mode and test on proposed Texas loop track
Elon Musk said Tesla plans to let Roadster owners trigger the vehicle's demonstrated aerial tricks autonomously and hinted at a dedicated looping test track at the company’s Texas facility.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk told tech blogger Robert Scoble on X that future owners of the new Roadster will be able to request the car to perform the aerial maneuvers shown at its unveiling without driver input. Musk said the vehicle will be "sentient" enough to execute the stunts autonomously and added that Tesla intends to build a looping track at its Texas headquarters for owners to test the capabilities.
The Roadster’s demonstration on Oct. 15 featured a curved ramp, cold-gas thrusters, and a fan-generated suction system that allowed the car to flip, hover and land upside down. Tesla has described the vehicle’s steer-by-wire yoke, electric-actuated thrusters and under-car fan system as the hardware that could enable such autonomous tricks.
Musk did not provide a timeline for when the feature might be available, nor details about the proposed track’s size, location or opening date. Production of the Roadster is slated for Giga Texas in 2027 or 2028, and the “Rocket” version remains invite-only and not approved for public road use.
"True. You will be able to ask the Roadster to perform any of the tricks shown autonomously, as it will be sentient. Also, we will have a wild looping track (crazier even than Hot Wheels) at our Texas HQ where you can test out your Roadster," Musk wrote.
Analysts note that the announcement comes ahead of Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 21, when shareholders will have the opportunity to pose questions about the autonomous stunt feature and the Texas track.