VinFast to make level-4 autonomous vehicle developed by US tech firm Tensor

VinFast, the EV subsidiary of Vietnam’s top conglomerate Vingroup (HoSE: VIC), will manufacture a level-4 self-driving vehicle model developed by the U.S.-based technology company Tensor, according to a statement from VIC’s investment arm VinVenture.

Under the partnership with Tensor, the Vietnamese carmaker will be responsible for the production and assembly of the Tensor Robocar, which the U.S. firm describes as the world’s first commercially available level-4 self-driving car.

Unlike most autonomous vehicles currently limited to fleet or ride-hailing operations, the Robocar will be sold directly to individual consumers.

The Robocar is designed from the ground up for autonomous driving and will be equipped with more than 100 sensors, including 37 cameras, five LiDAR units, and 11 radars. This extensive sensor suite is intended to enhance the vehicle’s ability to detect and respond to surrounding traffic conditions.

Production will take place at VinFast’s manufacturing complex in the northern port city of Hai Phong, where the company will oversee stamping, welding, painting, and assembly processes.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), self-driving technology is categorized across five levels, with Level 5 representing full automation in all conditions. Level 4 vehicles, like the Robocar, can operate autonomously in most scenarios but may still require human intervention in certain situations.

In July, VinFast sold 11,479 EVs in the domestic market, raising its year-to-date total to 79,048 units, the firm said. This marks the third consecutive month the company has sold more than 11,000 units, reinforcing its position as Vietnam’s top-selling automaker for 10 months in a row.