Musk Announces December Tape Out for Tesla’s Next-Gen AI6 Chips

In a March 19 report, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company may finalise its AI6 chip design by December. Tape out is the stage when a chip design is sent to a factory for production.

Production deal and timeline

Musk previously said Samsung Electronics would manufacture the AI6 chips. Samsung secured a $16.5 billion contract to supply artificial intelligence chips to Tesla.

A Samsung executive said the company plans to produce Tesla chips using an advanced 2-nanometre process. That manufacturing is targeted for the second half of 2027.

Applications and facility

The AI6 chips are likely intended for self-driving cars and humanoid robots. Tesla plans to deploy them at its new factory in Taylor, Texas.

Musk’s statement and context

Musk posted on X that, with some luck and faster AI work, tape out might occur in December. He made the comment when asked about when the chip would reach final design.

Musk’s remarks underscore a possible December tape out for Tesla’s next-gen AI6 chips and a push for quicker internal development.

Implications

A December tape out would accelerate Tesla’s chip development timeline. Samsung’s 2-nanometre roadmap signals advanced manufacturing collaboration ahead of production.

Filmogaz.com compiled this summary from the March 19 report. Reporting was by Hyunjoo Jin and editing by Alexander Smith.