Category: Robotaxi

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 149: Robotaxi for the Nights You Want German Beer AND Midnight Churros

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

Welcome to Ep 149, where we’ll do a few cruises around Austin for night eats via Robotaxi. We’ll start with a Whole Foods pickup → Koko’s Bavarian brews → San Ginés churros.

No parking drama, just seamless autonomy with friends. Jump to 00:51 for “Start Ride” or 1:08 for beer hall arrival.

At 00:10, Whole Foods start—Robotaxi on the way!

Night Hop Breakdown

Kicked off at Whole Foods, a legendary Austin grocery store, summoned white Model Y (quick wait). Smooth ride to Koko’s Bavarian—festive lights, sausages, beers and a Christmas Market. Hopped to Chocolatería San Ginés for midnight churros by the fireside—flawless nav through traffic.

Friends along for laughs; interiors spotless, and of course, the Robotaxi visualization is in gold!

At 2:29, churro delight—Robotaxi nails the drops.

Tech Takeaways

  • Autonomy Wins: Effortless urban hops; handles night crowds, turns perfectly.
  • Convenience Perks: Door-to-door, no parking hunts—ideal for multi-stop nights.
  • Fleet Fresh: Clean rides, intuitive screens; music syncs fun.
  • Night Mode: Solid low-light performance, safe pulls.
  • Abundance Vibes: Affordable, fun freedom.

Catch the full tour on X—fast-forward to 01:30 for ride views or 05:00 for wrap-up and this itme, there’s BONUS content at the end feat. the 2025 Tesla Shareholder’s Meeting!

—Gail

At the Royal Blue Grocery in East Ausitn

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 148: Robotaxi for the Nights You DON’T Want to Drive (or Park)

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

Welcome back to my podcast blog! Ep 148 hops through Austin’s night scene via Robotaxi: We hit De Nada tacos → 456 cocktails → Texas BBQ. No driving, no parking—pure autonomy bliss. There’s also bonus content at the end of the video – you’ll come inside the Giga Texas factory lobby to see what is featured for tour groups. 

Little mishap: We bought a special bottle of wine at the Royal Blue Grocery in East Austin, and accidentally left it at the Grocery. When we hopped into our Robotaxi we forgot about it. Later that night, we suddenly remembered it, so about an hour later we had our Model Y bring us back to Royal Blue... and the wine was still, there, on the patio, outside, no one had taken it!

I hope you’ll imagine you are here with me in the video for seamless rides, spotless interiors, and night vibes; jump to 00:31 where a human thanks the robotaxi (without realizing its a robot!) and 00:45 for driverless confirmation or 04:01 for a perfect pull-up to 456, and watch it drift off into the Austin night!

Night Out Breakdown

Kicked off at Rudy’s with Grace Alfar, summoning a white Model Y Robotaxi. Immaculate inside, sunset in Austin to De Nada for tacos. Quick hop to 456 for cocktails—handled traffic cones, crowds flawlessly.

BBQ finale via blue Robotaxi; navigated night streets, precise stops. Total freedom from parking hunts.

At 05:02, wrapping the night in a blue beauty (see below) —flawless rides all evening.

Tech Takeaways

  • Effortless Autonomy: Driverless perfection; smooth urban navigation, cones, turns.
  • Interior Vibes: Clean, spacious; music syncing for fun rides.
  • No-Park Perks: Drop-offs at doors—ideal for bar hops, events.
  • Fleet Variety: White, blue models; quick summons, reliable.
  • Night Handling: Excellent in low light, traffic; safer than manual.

Catch the full adventure on X—fast-forward to 00:08 for ride start or 04:54 for night highlights.

—Gail

OUR LAST RIDE OF THE NIGHT…

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 147: Austin Night Vibes – Three Robotaxi Rides Unlocked!

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Ep 147 dives into fresh Robotaxi access in Austin—three rides: Blue (00:15, $5/4mi), Red (05:22, $1.76/0.76mi), Liquid Silver (07:53, $5.25/4.25mi). Total: 9.01mi for $12.01 ($1.33/mi). Ride-along footage covers city tours, clean interiors, and seamless autonomy. Jump to 00:46 for spa-like vibes or 06:26 for dead-end mastery.

Video of Ep 147 Robotaxi rides

At 00:23, greeting the blue star with white roses—first time!

Night Ride Breakdown

Started at Central Market area in Austin, summoned blue Robotaxi (26min wait). Immaculate, spa-scented interior. Cruised 6th St (Dirty 6th), Christmas bars, and pulled over smoothly. Hit Skip Jack for oysters—small portions, but vibe on point.

Quick red hop (6min wait) to next spot. Black seats, stunning red exterior. Handled dead-end turnaround flawlessly—better than human drivers.

Final silver ride (14min wait) to burgers. Best yet, effortless navigation.

At 06:29, challenge accepted: Robotaxi nails the dead-end escape.

Tech Takeaways

  • Pricing Efficiency: $1.25/mi (blue), $2.32/mi (red, short hop), $1.24/mi (silver). Dynamic fares beat parking hassles.
  • Interior Quality: Spotless, black seats in newer fleet; feels like a luxury spa.
  • Autonomy Highlights: Gold trail viz, pull-over on demand (may loop blocks), urban handling (6th St crowds, dead ends).
  • Tourist Perks: No parking stress—perfect for Austin explorers.
  • Totals: 9.01mi, $12.01—affordable abundance.

Catch the full rides on X—fast-forward to 00:27 for rose gifting or 07:22 for fleet praise.

—Gail

Exploring Austin in Robotaxi: Episode 145 – Check out Nixta Taqueria and Techo Mezcaleria

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In the latest installment of Gail’s Podcast, we dive into the real-world performance of Tesla’s Robotaxi during an evening of trying out newly opened spots in the heart of the city. Recorded on November 5, 2025, this episode captures three autonomous rides that prove the tech’s reliability under pressure. Despite bustling streets and peak-hour chaos, every trip was smooth, spotless, and stress-free.

Ride One: Seamless Pickup and Navigation

The adventure kicks off with a quick summon from a residential spot. The Robotaxi arrives promptly, gliding through local neighborhoods with precise lane handling. Visuals show the FSD interface plotting a 19-minute route, avoiding parked cars and pedestrians effortlessly. No interventions needed – just chill vibes as we head to Nixta Taqueria, a brand new local place to eat great food.

A Perfect Robotaxi Ride: Tackling Traffic and Turns

Mid-episode, we tackle denser urban flow. Clips highlight the vehicle’s adaptive speed in stop-and-go conditions, with the dash screen displaying real-time decisions. A highlight: navigating a busy intersection at dusk, where the system anticipates a merging van flawlessly. Clean interior and quiet operation make it feel like a personal chauffeur, even amid honking horns and streetlights.

We emerge into the streets of Austin to visit newly opened Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar, at 2201 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722.

There is no better way to explore the city of Austin in celebration of its people and food, than by Robotaxi. It is the cheapest and safest way to go.

Episode 134: My Thrilling Adventure in the Red Tesla Robotaxi – Conquering Gates and Toasting to the Future!

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

Hello, everyone! It’s Gail here from Gail’s Tesla Podcast. I’m so excited to share with you all about my latest episode, where I take you along for an unforgettable ride in Tesla’s stunning red Robotaxi.

If you haven’t watched it yet, you can check out the full video on X here.

Episode 134 is packed with real-world demonstrations of Tesla’s autonomous driving tech, a bit of fun, and some reflections on how far we’ve come in just two short months since the Robotaxi’s initial release.

The Ride Begins: Summoning the Red Beauty

The episode kicks off with me summoning the red Robotaxi – what a sight!

This vibrant vehicle pulls up smoothly, ready to whisk me away on an adventure through the streets.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is at the heart of it all, and right from the start, you can see how seamlessly it navigates everyday scenarios.

From pulling out of parking spots to handling traffic, it’s a testament to the engineering prowess at Tesla.

Facing the Challenge: The Security Gate Showdown

One of the highlights – and a first for me – was encountering a security gate that initially stumped the Robotaxi.

But here’s where the magic happens: I pressed the “Resume Ride” button for the very first time, and voila! The system conquered the challenge effortlessly.

Watching it adapt and proceed was exhilarating. It’s moments like these that show how Tesla’s AI is evolving to handle real-world obstacles with grace and intelligence.

If you’ve been following my podcast, you know I love diving into these technical triumphs, and this one didn’t disappoint.

A Toast to Safety: Espresso Martini in Hand

Now, for the fun part! Midway through the ride, I decided to celebrate with an espresso martini. Yes, you read that right – enjoying a cocktail while the Robotaxi does all the driving. This isn’t just about indulgence; it’s a powerful demonstration of how autonomous vehicles like this can promote safer roads.

No need to worry about who’s the designated driver when the car itself is in control. I raised my glass in a toast to the future of transportation, proving that post-drinks travel can be completely safe and stress-free in a Robotaxi.

Ani’s Dance: Sending Us Off into the Night

As the sun set and the ride continued into the evening, I couldn’t resist adding a touch of whimsy. I played an anime dance sequence featuring Ani – it was the perfect send-off! The vibrant visuals lit up the interior, blending cutting-edge tech with a bit of playful entertainment.

Nighttime driving showcased the Robotaxi’s impressive handling of low-light conditions, with smooth maneuvers around city lights and traffic.

Reflections on Progress

It’s only been two months since the Robotaxi was first unveiled, and the progress Tesla has made is nothing short of astonishing. From smoother navigation to quicker adaptations, every update brings us closer to a world where autonomous driving is the norm. As a dedicated supporter of Elon Musk and Tesla’s vision, I’m thrilled to witness and share these advancements with you all.

If you’re as passionate about Tesla, FSD, and the Robotaxi revolution as I am, make sure to subscribe to my podcast on X or wherever you get your episodes. I’d love to hear your thoughts – drop a comment below or reply on X. What challenges do you think the Robotaxi should tackle next?Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more episodes!

Warm regards,

Gail

Episode #133: Your Future Commute – Robotaxi to Work

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

In this latest episode of Gail’s TESLA Podcast, we dive into the practical realities of using Tesla’s Robotaxi for a daily commute.

As the producer, I’m excited to share this firsthand experience that showcases how autonomous transportation is evolving right here in Austin.

The episode follows Gail as she takes a Robotaxi to work and back, marking her first full round-trip commute using the technology. From the moment the vehicle arrives and parks precisely at her pickup point, to navigating busy urban streets, the ride highlights the system’s capabilities in real-world conditions.

Chaos in Austin

Key moments include the Robotaxi handling complex scenarios, such as overtaking a garbage truck with human-like timing and proceeding cautiously after a pedestrian’s gesture.

Gail emphasizes the vehicle’s paranoia-level focus on safety, even in situations where it excels, underscoring Tesla’s commitment to reliability.

Throughout the journey, the episode features a soundtrack that enhances the relaxed vibe, including tracks like “A Thousand Years” during the morning ride and a historical podcast on the Mongols for the return trip.

Notably, the audio seamlessly continues from the Robotaxi into Gail’s personal Tesla upon arrival home, demonstrating the integration of Tesla’s ecosystem.

This episode not only illustrates the convenience of skipping parking hassles and reducing commute stress but also builds confidence in unsupervised autonomy. It’s a glimpse into a future where Robotaxis could transform how we get to and from work.

If you’re interested in Tesla’s FSD and Robotaxi developments, subscribe to the podcast for more updates.

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

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

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!

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

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

Gail AlfarLeave a comment

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.