Category: Gail’s Tesla Podcast

Podcast Episode 132: Tesla Robotaxi Ride to Downtown Austin

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In this episode of Gail’s Podcast, I take you along for a ride in a Tesla Robotaxi from a parking lot to the Westin Hotel in downtown Austin.

This unsupervised autonomous journey showcases the vehicle’s impressive capabilities, handling everything from sun glare to complex merges with ease.

The episode begins with locating the Robotaxi and confirming it’s driverless. As I settle in, the car greets me on the screen and we start the ride.

Navigating through traffic, the Robotaxi demonstrates seamless autonomy, merging confidently into fast-moving lanes and yielding appropriately to other vehicles and pedestrians.

One highlight is its performance in areas known for being tricky, where it outperforms what many human drivers might struggle with.

During the ride, I share real-time commentary on the experience, noting how the vehicle handles sun glare without issue and provides aerial-like views from elevated positions. The ETA is about 24 minutes, and the ride feels relaxing compared to traditional driving.

Upon arrival at the Westin, the drop-off is smooth, and I reflect on the perfection of the journey—no errors, low stress, and highly enjoyable.

The episode also includes a short interview with my daughter, Grace, who has taken numerous Robotaxi rides.

She describes it as having the kindest and safest chauffeur, always patient and yielding to others. She’s never felt afraid and advises skeptics to try it, pointing out that human error is far more concerning.

Later segments capture nighttime driving through the chaos of 6th Street, dealing with construction, potholes, and confusing intersections.

The Robotaxi navigates these challenges adeptly, even in low-light conditions where judging distances is tough for humans.

This ride reinforces my belief in the future of autonomous transportation. Tesla’s Robotaxi exceeds expectations and promises even more as it expands.

Watch the full episode on X:

Discovering the Future: Tesla Robotaxi in Action – Episode 131 Review

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Living in Austin, the epicenter of Tesla’s innovations, I’ve been following the evolution of autonomous driving for some time.

If you’re into cutting-edge mobility or just curious about how robots might soon chauffeur us around, this episode is a must-watch. As someone who’s navigated Austin’s traffic daily, seeing this tech in action feels like a glimpse into a smoother, smarter future right here in our city.

What Makes Episode 131 Stand Out?

Clocking in at around 3.5 minutes, it’s a concise yet captivating video demo that showcases the Robotaxi in real-world scenarios – right here in Texas.

The episode kicks off with the Robotaxi arriving at a pickup point, and the Tesla Robotaxi pulls up smoothly to residential areas, navigating curves, and handling intersections with ease. Inside, the interface is intuitive: a large touchscreen displays navigation, estimated fares, and trip details. One highlight is the adaptive pricing – fares adjust dynamically based on demand or route efficiency, making it potentially cheaper than traditional rideshares.

Throughout the video, I demonstrate effortless features like:

  • Seamless Pickups and Drop-offs: The car arrives precisely, parks safely, and even handles changes mid-ride. In one scene, the drop-off location is updated while on a family call, showing how flexible the system is for real-life interruptions.
  • Interior Comfort: Shots of the spacious cabin include cup holders with drinks (shoutout to that pink water bottle – Austin summer essentials!), emphasizing a relaxed, hands-free experience.
  • Autonomous Navigation: The Robotaxi maneuvers through parking lots, stops at signs, and avoids obstacles without a hitch. It’s all powered by Tesla’s FSD tech, highlighting safety and precision in everyday drives.

Our city of Austin is Tesla’s playground – with Giga Texas nearby and constant FSD testing on our roads, Robotaxi will revolutionize how we get around. Imagine hailing a driverless ride to avoid I-35 traffic or zipping to South Congress for tacos without parking hassles. Gail’s demo shows fares as low as $1.35 for short trips, which could undercut Uber and make sustainable transport accessible for everyone. Plus, with adaptive pricing, peak hours might not sting as much.

Podcast Ep. 129: Quick 3-Minute Austin Ride in Robotaxi – Arrow Navigation Magic!

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Hey everyone, welcome back to Gail’s Podcast! In Episode 129, I’m thrilled to share a super quick but incredibly cool 3-minute ride in Tesla’s Robotaxi right here in Austin, Texas.

This one’s all about showcasing the brand-new arrow-to-car navigation feature in the Tesla app, cruising past the iconic Congress Street Bat Bridge, and soaking in the vibes with some upbeat music.

It’s a glimpse into the future of autonomous ridesharing.

The Ride Highlights

I hopped into this Robotaxi for a short trip through downtown Austin at dusk – the perfect time to catch the city lights and that magical evening energy. The star of the show? The Tesla app’s arrow navigation system.

If you’ve ever struggled to spot your ride in a busy parking lot or on a crowded street, this feature is a game-changer. It uses augmented reality-like arrows on your phone screen to guide you straight to the vehicle, counting down the distance in real-time (from 121 feet all the way to “You’ve arrived!”). It’s intuitive, fun, and honestly feels like playing a little AR game – I was hooked!

Once inside, the Robotaxi handled everything flawlessly with Full Self-Driving (FSD). We glided smoothly through traffic, past bustling buildings and neon signs, and over the Congress Avenue Bridge – home to Austin’s famous bat colony (though no bats were out this time).

The ride was serene, with chill music playing in the background to set the mood. No driver, no fuss – just pure autonomous bliss.

We arrived at the destination in no time, and the car parked itself like a pro.

Why This Matters

Tesla’s Robotaxi is pushing the boundaries of urban mobility, and features like this arrow navigation make it more accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Whether you’re directionally challenged (like some of us!) or just want a seamless experience, it’s details like these that elevate the whole system. As a beta tester and a supporter of Elon Musk’s vision, I can’t wait to see how this evolves – imagine this scaling to cities worldwide!

Watch the Full Episode

If you’re new to the podcast, subscribe to my account on X for more Robotaxi adventures, Tesla FSD updates, and insights into the world of electric vehicles and autonomy.

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep 128: Alexander Kristensen in Austin from Sweden to Spill the Tea on Stockholm’s FSD Battle

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Welcome to the full scoop on Episode 128 of Gail’s Tesla Podcast, where I talked with the unstoppable Alexander Kristensen. Alexander flew all the way from southern Sweden to Austin just to chat about his epic campaign to bring Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) to the streets of Stockholm. If you’re into tech revolutions, bureaucratic drama, and saving lives on the road, this one’s for you.

The Setup: From Sweden to Austin Vibes

He’s not from Stockholm (my bad on the intro slip-up – he’s from the south of Sweden), but he’s laser-focused on getting FSD approved there.

Elon Musk himself noticed his project, which is all about pushing the city to greenlight testing, validation, and eventual rollout of FSD for everyday Swedes. We dove right in, starting with his mind-blowing first ride on FSD here in the States.Alexander shared: “I came here from my friend… He picked me up from the airport. We kind of got a look at FSD for the first time. Never driven on FSD, driven on autopilot which is allowed in Europe.” His buddy punched in the hotel address, and boom – the car handled everything from airport chaos to lobby drop-off. No interventions needed. Then, the next day, Alexander hopped in the driver’s seat for some city traffic action. “I’m not… I don’t need to do anything. I’ve never driven in the U.S. before… The car just took us there so.” As someone who’s part Swedish (shoutout to my heritage!), I was geeking out. Austin’s freewheeling vibe makes FSD feel like second nature, but Sweden? Total opposite.

The Bureaucratic Buzzkill: Why Sweden’s Saying “Nej” to FSD

Here’s where it gets real. Alexander broke down the red tape holding back progress. In the U.S. (Austin), the default is “yes” – innovate first, regulate. But in Sweden, it’s “no” until you prove it’s safer than safe. Tesla applied to test FSD with a safety driver (just like our Supervised FSD here), and they got the thumbs-up from the national Transport Administration. But the local Stockholm government? Flat-out “no.” Why? It’s all politics. The current left-leaning crew – Social Democrats and the Green Party (the ones pushing EVs) – control the Traffic Board. Alexander’s plan? Rally votes for the opposition in the 2026 elections (September, mark your calendars if you’re Swedish!). Get tech-savvy folks in power who see FSD’s potential. “We gotta cast our votes on them… on the candidates that are more technical,” he said.And let’s talk safety – the real heart of this. Alexander nailed it: FSD could slash accident risks by 9-10 times compared to manual driving.

Drawing from Tesla’s data and real-world stats, it’s a game-changer. He compared it to Volvo’s 1959 invention of the three-point seatbelt, which they made standard in all cars. “FSD is the next three-point seatbelt… And like now we are saying no to the next 3 points… What is wrong with your brains with people? Come on!”

Bureaucracy gone wild is blocking life-saving tech. As Alexander put it, Sweden prioritizes traffic safety above all, so denying FSD – which is safer – is straight-up counterproductive.

First Impressions and the Future of Autonomy in Europe

Alexander’s fresh eyes on FSD were gold. Coming from a place where even basic autopilot is the max, he was blown away by how it navigated unfamiliar U.S. roads. “Some time I was like, is the car gonna do the right thing here?”

Spoiler: It did, every time.

We wrapped with me hyping his hustle: “All Swedish people are very lucky to have this guy. He is fighting for the good fight… He wants people to be safe.” Alexander shrugged off potential hate – he’s in it for the win. Elections bring drama, but hey, progress ain’t easy.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Make Autonomy Global Watch the interview here!

Episode 128 is a wake-up call for how politics and tech collide. If Sweden can flip the script, it could pave the way for Europe-wide FSD adoption, saving lives and supercharging sustainable transport. Big thanks to Alexander for the insights, and shoutouts to the crew:

@LinkN01 (great meeting you!),

@TheCaptainEli for the intro,

@RimaSukhadia on camera,

@JohnChr08117285 for the FSD demo, and

@Muskstaycalm plus the gang.This episode is under 8 minutes and pure inspiration. If you’re in Sweden, join the push! Everywhere else? Activate FSD Supervised and feel the future.

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 127: A Thrilling First Robotaxi Ride in Austin

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I’m excited to share Episode 127 of Gail’s Tesla Podcast, where I take my friend, Eli (@TheCaptainEli on X), who travelled from Israel, on his very first Robotaxi ride right here in Austin, Texas.

What started as a simple evening outing turned into an unforgettable adventure filled with surprises.

We hopped into a brilliant RED Tesla Robotaxi, and set off into the night. Almost immediately, we noticed another Robotaxi trailing us closely— was it a coincidence, or something more coordinated?

We were puzzled and intrigued as it even waited for us at a traffic light. The real jaw-dropper came at the end when our Robotaxi flawlessly parked itself in a 2-hour spot, a feature we hadn’t seen before.

The ride was smooth, safe, and a testament to how far Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology has come.

Captain Eli’s reactions were priceless—he was amazed by the seamless navigation through Austin’s bustling streets, the intuitive interface, and the overall futuristic feel. We chatted about everything from the tech behind Robotaxi to its potential impact on urban mobility.

If you’re curious about the future of transportation, check out the full episode video on X here. It’s about 7 minutes of pure excitement!

I’m currently Beta testing the Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, and looking forward to wide release of this incredible product from Tesla made here in Austin!

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep 126: Robotaxi in Austin, An Early Robotaxi Ride Through UT Campus to Hancock Golf

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

Hey everyone, Gail here – your go-to early Robotaxi tester, Tesla FSD podcaster, and professional poaster! If you’ve been following my adventures on X, you know I’m all about Tesla. Episode 126 of my Robotaxi series is a wild one. I took Tesla’s autonomous beast for a spin through the heart of Austin, Texas, and let me tell you: this thing handled the University of Texas campus like a pro, conquered a ridiculously steep driveway, paused for a feathered friend, and even had a brief meeting with another Tesla Robotaxi.

The Setup: Hailing the Future

I summoned Robotaxi via the app (who needs to drive when AI can do it better?), and within minutes, out cab came. No driver small talk, no awkward radio choices – just autonomy. This is Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta in action, with a safety rider on board for those extra peace-of-mind vibes during testing. I headed to Hancock Recreation Center, right through the bustling UT campus. You’ll notice on the screen, the estimated arrival was 4:32 PM.

Spoiler: It nailed it.

Zipping Through UT: Pedestrians, Buses, and Zero Stress

As we cruised into the University of Texas area, the real test began. Picture this: pedestrians darting across paths, buses lumbering along as expected and traffic that’s equal parts chaotic and charming. My Robotaxi? Cool, both with the AC inside and the relaxed vibe. . It seamlessly shifted lanes, prepped for left turns on busy streets, and even adjusted speed when a big Austin Metro bus cut in front. I couldn’t help but narrate the whole thing (check the video below – I turned it into a mini-podcast episode on the fly). One highlight? We passed under a pedestrian bridge and navigated around more buses than I could count. It got me thinking: How long until these empty daytime buses get replaced by fleets of efficient, Robotaxis? Safer for everyone, cheaper for society, and zero emissions. Elon Musk and the Tesla team are onto something revolutionary here – rethinking not just cars, but entire transit systems.

The Steep Challenge: Hancock’s Hill of Doom

Now, for the pièce de résistance: the driveway up to Hancock Recreation Center. If you’ve been there, you know what I’m talking about – it’s steeper than many rollercoaster drops! I held my breath as we approached, but the Robotaxi swung left with precision, letting another car go first in a super polite move (take notes, human drivers). Then, up we went: smooth acceleration, no scraping, no drama. We pulled into the parking lot, dodging golfers and a guy with his cart, and parked right on time. As the ride ended and I gathered my stuff, the Robotaxi gently rolled away… and slowed down for a bird in the road. A BIRD! That’s next-level AI empathy right there. Safety isn’t just about avoiding crashes; it’s about protecting all life on the road.

Watch the Full Adventure

Don’t just take my word for it – dive into the action yourself. Here’s the video from my X post, embedded for your viewing pleasure:

Why This Matters: The Robotaxi Revolution

Rides like this aren’t just fun – they’re a glimpse into a world where traffic jams are history, accidents are rare, and getting around is effortless. As a beta tester, I’m blown away by how far Tesla’s tech has come. From interacting with other autonomous vehicles to handling urban unpredictability, it’s clear we’re on the brink of something massive. If you’re in Austin, keep an eye out for these bad boys – and if you’re not, stay tuned because Robotaxis are coming to a city near you soon. Would you hop in a driverless Tesla tomorrow? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast for more episodes. Robo dreams are real, y’all! Until next ride,
Gail Alfar
Writer, Podcaster, and Mom of Five Great Kids!

Gail’s Podcast on 𝕏 Episode No. 125: Robotaxi first-time reactions.

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

Riding a Tesla Robotaxi in Austin —check out first-timer reactions from Liam McNamara as we zip from golf course to hospital in the expanded zone! You’ll also hear Liam’s dad talk about his first ride!

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.

Gail’s Podcast on 𝕏 Episode No. 124: Robotaxi to the fish aquarium & more!

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Summoning Tesla Robotaxi in Austin—zipping to coffee shops, the fish aquarium, and more, with seamless pickup changes on the fly! Austin, Texas

Watch here:

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.

Gail’s Podcast on 𝕏 Episode No. 123: Robotaxi to Freddo, Yeti, and the Embassy Suites

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Austin, Texas. Join my daughter Grace and I on a Tesla Robotaxi trip to Freddo coffee shop ATX and the Yeti store. We’ll also stop by the Embassy Suites Hotel on Congress where we’ll show someone their very first glimpse of a Robotaxi!

We also discover that the Robotaxi takes NO TIPS. Instead a cute hedgehog pops on the phone screen to say, “JUST KIDDING.”

Watch here:

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.

Gail’s Podcast on 𝕏 Episode No. 121: Discussion of Solar

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Austin, Texas. FSD acts like a very smooth operator. In this podcast we stop at a sunny overlook of Lake Travis, get out, and discuss the importance of building solar, and shade canopies. I mention Jesse Peltan, as he has been instrumental in helping spread the word about the importance of accelerating solar.

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.