When AI Driving Feels Too Real

Here's something you don't hear every day: a top robotics executive from one tech giant gushing about another company's technology. But that's exactly what happened when Jim Fan, Nvidia Corp.'s (NVDA) Director of Robotics, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to share his experience with Tesla Inc.'s (TSLA) Full Self-Driving system.

Fan didn't hold back. "It's perhaps the first time I experience an AI that passes the Physical Turing Test," he wrote. Translation: the technology is so good that you genuinely can't tell whether a neural network or an actual human is driving you home. That's high praise from someone who literally builds robots for a living.

The Nvidia executive shared a video demonstrating the FSD technology in action, adding a touch of wonder to his technical assessment. "I still find it magical watching the steering wheel turn by itself," he wrote. But perhaps the most telling observation was about how quickly the extraordinary becomes ordinary. "First it feels surreal, next it becomes routine," Fan noted, capturing that peculiar moment when futuristic technology simply becomes part of everyday life.

Global Recognition Builds

Fan isn't the only one impressed. Lee Soyoung, a member of South Korea's National Assembly, also praised the technology and said she plans to encourage her colleagues to try self-driving and autonomous technologies themselves. Given that South Korea's autonomous vehicle sector is still in its early stages, her endorsement could carry weight in shaping future policy.

Meanwhile, Tesla is preparing to bring FSD across the Atlantic. The Dutch auto regulator RDW has confirmed a 2026 timeline for launching the technology in Europe, marking a significant expansion for the EV maker's autonomous driving ambitions. The European market represents both a major opportunity and a regulatory challenge, given the region's strict automotive safety standards.

All this attention comes as Tesla continues to develop its Robotaxi operations in Austin, though concerns persist about the broader rollout of autonomous taxi services.

Price Action: Tesla (TSLA) shares slipped 0.11% to $485.03 during after-hours trading, according to market data.