well maybe tesla really thinks the existing automation research is outdated and maybe they think it will massively pay off. but they surely must recognize that

well maybe tesla really thinks the existing automation research is outdated and maybe they think it will massively pay off. but they surely must recognize that there are learning pains involved in this especially when it sounds like no other auto manufacturer is involved in this level of process automation, there's no one with relevant knowledge to simply poach, and therefore the cost of learning has to be borne completely by tesla... for what kind of improvement over tried-and-true existing processes in the short and medium term? for a new auto company that by many accounts is running out of money, this is a silly gamble to take. it might be a good bet 10 years down the road when Tesla is pumping out 1m autos/yr in line with BMW and MB but not right now when they are bleeding cash out of every orifice and failing to make deliveries. sounds like one of those sad stories where the engineers fell in love with the stack and forgot about the product.