1. Tesla, a company known for its CEO Elon Musk's past criticisms of lidar technology, has surprisingly become the largest customer of lidar company Luminar. This move contradicts Musk's previous stance, where he had dismissed lidar as an unnecessary sensor for autonomous driving, stating that it was "a crutch" and that Tesla's self-driving technology would rely solely on cameras and radar.

2. The article suggests that Tesla's decision to partner with Luminar could indicate a shift in the company's approach to autonomous driving. While Musk has long advocated for a camera-centric system, the partnership with Luminar suggests that Tesla may be exploring the use of lidar technology to enhance its self-driving capabilities, potentially as a complement to its existing sensor suite.

3. The article also notes that Luminar's CEO, Austin Russell, has expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that it represents a significant milestone for the company. The article speculates that the collaboration could lead to further integration of lidar technology into Tesla's vehicles, potentially signaling a broader industry trend towards the adoption of multi-sensor approaches for autonomous driving.