Hands-on with xAI's Grok Chatbot: In-Car Conversation Experience in a Tesla

Recently, a CNBC reporter joined Tesla owner and attorney Mike Nelson for an unusual road test in New York City — experiencing xAI's Grok chatbot while the Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system was active. Nelson, who has been using Grok for months, demonstrated how he interacts with the AI during drives across the New York metro area, even crossing the nation's busiest George Washington Bridge while relying entirely on Grok instead of paying attention to any driving details.

During the on-road test, Nelson specifically asked Grok whether it could help adjust the Tesla's seats or climate control. Although Grok cannot yet control vehicle hardware directly, this interaction revealed the potential for in-car AI chatbots to evolve from simple Q&A to functional control. CNBC reporter Rob Ferris, who was in the car throughout the test, noted that Grok's response speed and voice comprehension remained stable in real-time driving conditions, with no noticeable lag or errors.

The test showed that combining Grok with Tesla's FSD system offers a "co-pilot" style AI companion, but it also raised safety concerns: with fully autonomous driving not yet commercially viable, relying too heavily on an AI assistant could increase driver distraction. While xAI has not announced any formal plan to integrate Grok into vehicle scenarios, this real-world trial provides an early case study for AI chatbots entering the mobility market.

As autonomous driving technology moves toward Level 4, the role of in-car AI is expected to shift from a simple voice assistant to the core interface of smart cockpits. Grok's "New York journey" suggests that chatbots could take on more co-pilot tasks beyond driving assistance, but only if seamless integration is achieved without compromising driving safety. The cross-sector collaboration between automakers and AI companies will determine whether this vision becomes a reality.