Tesla FSD Changes a Life: US Man with Cerebral Palsy Becomes Uber Driver, Logs 200,000 Miles Safely

A heartwarming story of a US Uber driver has gone viral on social media. The driver, named Billy, was born with cerebral palsy. His right arm is completely paralyzed, and his right leg retains only about 40% mobility. Despite these severe physical limitations, Billy relies on his Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) to make a living, having already completed more than 206,000 miles (around 330,000 km) of safe driving.

Billy purchased his Model Y in 2022 for $68,000 and, after years of hard work, has finally paid off the loan. However, new challenges have emerged: his vehicle is equipped with HW3 hardware, which limits the FSD functions. Upgrading to the newer HW4 is prohibitively expensive, Tesla’s trade-in offer is minimal, and he is not eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit.

At the same time, the financial reality of being an Uber driver is harsh. Billy explained that for an 18-mile trip, the passenger paid $52, but after Uber’s commission, he only received $22.

Billy’s story not only highlights the unique value of autonomous driving technology in creating opportunities for people with disabilities, but also sparks wider discussions about the ride-hailing industry’s revenue-sharing model and the struggles faced by disabled workers.