TDD is mentioned specifically several times. He starts the entire sentence about tests with:

Of course one of the disciplines I'm talking about is TDD.

We're talking about Uncle Bob here. If Uncle Bob doesn't realize there's a difference between TDD and automated tests, then there's been a whole lot of arguing about nothing for the last few years.

In other words, no, you can't interpret Uncle Bob that way, he really is talking about TDD.