Former Tesla executive Jon McNeill, now CEO at DVx Ventures, has expressed disappointment with Tesla's recent robotaxi reveal, calling it a "nothing burger." McNeill, who has intimate knowledge of Tesla's automation goals, was expecting a more comprehensive roadmap for achieving Level 4 autonomy, rather than just 20 prototype vehicles.

McNeill also questioned Tesla's vision-only approach to autonomy, which relies solely on cameras rather than lidar and radar. He believes this approach may not be sufficient, citing limitations in human vision, such as inability to see through snow, fog, or darkness. McNeill's concerns are significant, given his experience at Tesla and his current role on the board of GM's Cruise, which has commercialized Level 4 autonomy using lidar.

The conversation also touched on the challenges faced by electric vehicle startups, with McNeill emphasizing the need for a "crazy, effective leader" to navigate the complex process of building cars from scratch. He noted that even established players like Stellantis and Volkswagen are struggling to get it right.

McNeill's comments offer a rare glimpse into the challenges of achieving autonomy and the difficulties faced by EV startups. As the autonomous vehicle space continues to evolve, Tesla's vision-only approach will be closely watched, and McNeill's skepticism may spark a wider debate on the best path forward.