PREVIEW

One of the stars of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is the Tensor Robocar - a fully autonomous electric vehicle that charges in just 10 minutes.

The car recharge its large 112 kilowatt-hour battery from 20% to 80% in around ten minutes, if charged with a high-voltage 845-volt electrical system and so-called 5C fast-charging technology.

Tensor says the vehicle, which will be on the roads in 2026, has achieved Level 4 autonomy, meaning it can drive itself without human input in defined conditions. It has been described as a “supercomputer on wheels”.

The Robocar is not a conventional electric vehicle retrofitted with self-driving technology, but one designed from the outset to operate autonomously - and is unique in that it will be wholly owned and operated by an individual, rather than run as part of a centrally managed fleet.

The company, best known for its work in artificial intelligence, describes the Robocar as an “AI-defined vehicle”, capable not only of driving itself but of acting as a personal digital agent. Tensor argues that most autonomous vehicles today are built as robotaxis, requiring constant supervision and maintenance. Its ambition is to bring autonomy into private driveways.

Amy Luca, Tensor’s chief marketing officer, said the firm was focused on personal ownership rather than ride-hailing services.

“With Tensor, we’re introducing the world’s first personal Robocar, ushering in the era of AI defined vehicles,” she said. “This isn't a car as we know it. It's an embodied personal agent that moves you.”

Beneath the surface, Tensor says the Robocar integrates more than 100 sensors, including five lidar units, dozens of cameras, radar systems and microphones.

All sensor data is processed onboard using high-performance computing hardware, rather than relying heavily on cloud services. Tensor says this approach improves reliability and protects user privacy, with personal data stored locally on the vehicle.

Inside, the Robocar reflects its dual purpose. It can be driven manually, or left to operate fully autonomously. A foldable steering wheel -developed with automotive safety firm Autoliv -retracts completely when the car is in self-driving mode, opening up the front cabin. When deployed, it functions like a conventional steering wheel.
The interior is deliberately luxurious, with massage seats, large displays, a Dolby Atmos sound system and a spacious, lounge-like layout. Tensor has not disclosed pricing, but it will be at the premium end of the market.

The Robocar features redundant power, communications and control systems, allowing it to continue operating even if one system fails. Sensor-cleaning mechanisms, protective covers and automated self-checks are intended to enable the vehicle to function independently for extended periods.

Tensor plans to make the Robocar available in selected markets across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

With rapid charging times and a clear focus on independence, Tensor is betting that the future of self-driving cars is not shared, but personal.