Why AI5 Is Delayed Until Mid-2027
Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla’s next-gen inference chip, AI5 (also called HW5), won’t hit large-scale production until mid-2027.
The main reason? Insufficient production capacity.
Tesla wants “millions” of AI5 boards ready before switching hardware on the assembly line, avoiding manufacturing slowdowns.
Musk also noted that AI6—an even more advanced version—is planned for 2028.
Cybercab Will Launch on AI4 Instead of AI5
Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi, Cybercab, will initially run on AI4 (HW4) rather than AI5.
Why not wait for AI5?
- AI4 is more mature and stable
- Faster market launch without delaying the Robotaxi program
- Good news for current AI4 owners: your hardware remains relevant and aligned with Tesla’s future service ecosystem
How Much More Powerful Is AI5?
According to Musk, AI5 can deliver roughly 30–40× performance gains in some inference workloads.
This includes:
- Better handling of large neural networks
- Hardware-level acceleration for key operations
- Higher bandwidth memory and improved mixed-precision support
AI5 will be manufactured by both Samsung and TSMC, helping Tesla reduce supply chain bottlenecks.
Still, Tesla's software may not fully utilize AI5's capabilities until late 2027 or 2028.
Top 5 Questions Tesla Owners Are Asking
1. Should I wait for AI5 before buying a new Tesla?
Not necessary.
AI4 will remain Tesla’s mainstream platform for the next couple of years, and Cybercab itself launches on AI4.
2. Will AI4 become outdated soon?
No.
The fact that Tesla is using AI4 for Cybercab shows its lifecycle is far from over.
3. Does the AI5 delay slow down FSD improvements?
Not in the short term.
Software updates will continue rolling out normally; AI5 is more of a long-term performance booster.
4. Could current owners use their AI4 vehicles for future Robotaxi income?
Very possible.
If Tesla opens the network to owners, AI4 vehicles would still be viable participants.
5. Is waiting until 2027 a better strategy?
Depends on your needs:
- Want the bleeding edge of FSD tech → Waiting makes sense
- Daily driving + stable platform → AI4 is perfectly fine
Final Takeaway for Tesla Owners
AI4 remains Tesla’s primary hardware platform through 2027, and current owners don’t need to worry about falling behind. AI5 will be a long-term upgrade, not an immediate necessity.
