Have you ever been to Austin? Almost all of my podcast videos that feature Tesla FSD beta take place in Austin, Texas. There is a festive feeling around the city at Christmastime. The Texas State Senate puts up a tree and each Senator is invited to bring an ornament that represents the district they represent. The Capital has trees in the House Chambers and a tree outside by Congress Street.
Tesla Ho Ho Ho or “Santa Mode”
In this video, you’ll enjoy Austin during the holidays by night while we run Tesla “Santa” mode on FSD beta in the Model Y. You can activate this any time of year by just pressing your car’s voice control on the steering wheel and saying out loud, “Start ho ho ho mode!”
We’ll start in the Northern part of the city, allowing FSD beta to flawlessly bring us downtown and to the outdoor capital complex at night. We’ll then supervise the vehicle as it traverses Congress Street, heading from South to North to get another great view of the Christmas Tree outside of the Texas Capital at night. Come along and enjoy!
I’m thrilled to share with you my 45th podcast episode. FSD beta in ATX for the lighted holidays.
𝕏 timestamps 𝕏 00:00 opening on ho ho ho mode 00:08 freeway fsd beta 01:03 fsd slows for maniac car 01:45 narrow road construction 02:35 downtown construction 03:11 x mas tree… pic.twitter.com/9P1S77VoOS
I’m thrilled to share with you my 45th podcast episode. FSD beta in ATX for the lighted holidays.
Tesla’s Santa Mode Year Round?
I enjoy Santa mode in the car for the holidays.
A good friend kept Santa Mode on all year. He picked up his Tesla from the Service Center and it was activated for some reason. He drove his Tesla for over a year on Santa Mode and thought it was what all Tesla cars have on all the time.
Be sure to deactive the mode after the holidays!
You can always go back to regular mode by pressing the voice control of your steering wheel and saying, “Stop ho ho ho mode!”
You can also go into “Santa Mode” in the arcade and either start or stop it.
Have a great and lovely 2024.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
“I think it’s our best product, I think it’s the most unique on the road. And finally, the future will look like the future.” – Elon Musk
Syd Mead, the artistic director behind Blade Runner (1982), watched the Nov 2019 Cybertruck unveiling and commented that Tesla’s new Cybertruck “has completely changed the vocabulary of the personal truck market design.”
Syd Mead passed away in Dec 2019. He was a visual futurist and if he was alive he would have been thrilled to see Cybertruck in production changing how people think of the personal truck market!
I was in the audience at the Cybertruck Delivery event when Elon Musk stood on the bed of the Cybertruck. The lighting, music, and gritty, dark atmosphere made me feel immersed in a Syd Mead-style “Blade Runner” movie set.
Elon Musk stood, surrounded by light and shadow, said,
“Once in a while, a product comes along that is rare, that is, once every 5 to 10 years something really special, an unusual product comes along and we will remember those special moments when some rare, very rare product comes along that is seemingly impossible. That people said was impossible, that experts said was impossible, and this is one of those times. we have a car here that experts said was impossible, that experts said would never be made.” – Elon Musk
THEY SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE!
Chief designer of the Lotus, Ben Payne, said Cybertruck’s unusual design makes it “very hard to mass produce.”
Adrian Clarke, a professional car designer was convinced that “Vehicles always have an amount of curves in them because they have to be able to hold the shape when the part comes out of the press. But if you have a dead flat panel, it doesn’t work. It’s going to vibrate and they’re going to have massive problems stamping those panels and having them keep their shape.”
Raj Rajkumar, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said that Cybertruck material does not “provide flexibility, which is critical for vehicles during an accident and will require special welding techniques.”
Thankfully, these experts were wrong. For context, trucks have had the same classic boxy look for close to 100 years. Ever since the Ford Model T Runabout was sold in 1925, the look has been similar. Cybertruck breaks this trend. In 2019, the late Syd Mead called the futuristic-looking Cybertruck design “stylistically breathtaking” and said it went beyond his expectations.
The Delivery Event Surpassed my Expectations too!
Surrounded by the sounds of the gigafactory, enveloped by the industrial feel of machines, robots, and computers, Elon continued,
“So what we’re aiming for here is something that’s more truck than truck. Yes, what we have here is something that is a better truck than a truck, while also being a better sports car than a sports car in the same package. First of all, you know you talk about how trucks are tough? That is one of the characteristics of a truck.”
Marques Brownlee said “It looks surreal, there is not a single curve on this entire truck. There are some surprising things about it, some really cool features, things that I think truck people are going to like!”
Elon explained how Tesla came up with a kind of stainless steel metal alloy that did not even exist before. Tesla had to design a new metal to make this truck. Tesla engineered A LOT of new technology to build this truck!
Although many may be joking about Tesla having the finest in apocalypse technology, it is actually true that the doors are bullet-resistant, the interior has bioweapon defense mode, and when it is wrapped in matte black, it’s going to be very difficult to trace in the dark of night!
“It’s insane. It’s a spaceship. Seeing it in real life is so f*cking cool, there’s something about photos — you’re not in context, you’re not physically there where you get to look at it. But when you’re physically there, this thing’s so f*cking cool.”- Joe Rogan
Our future is full of great technology and even better looking vehicles! We are entering an age where humanity returns to dreams of new futuristic imaginings. It takes the development of a futuristic design – CYBERTRUCK – to come to reality and come into production at scale for our present culture’s embers of imagination to spark the motivation to dream bigger.
_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
Images by the author taken at Cybertruck Delivery Event on Nov. 30. Syd Mead futuristic vehicles images Courtesy Syd Mead dot com.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
The first thing I thought when I saw the Cybertruck at Tesla’s amazing Delivery Event on November 30, was that it looks military tough (as an Army Veteran, I love this!) and also feels like a stunning art piece. I learned from the engineers at the factory event at Giga Texas that the stainless steel exoskeleton is also highly durable. It is a new stainless steel alloy called 30X cold-rolled stainless steel.
This material is extremely strong and provides the vehicle with exceptional resistance to dents and corrosion. The 30X alloy was developed in part by Charles Kuehmann, who has been the VP of Materials Engineering at SpaceX and Tesla since 2015.
The Tesla Armor Glass (ultra-strong glass and polymer-layered composite that absorbs and redirects impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance) and self-leveling suspension make the Cybertruck a formidable force on the road, or even when you plan to adventure off-road!
Safety Features
To get to the event, I let my Model Y take me there using Tesla’s safety first software: FSD beta. The Cybertruck is equipped with the same advanced safety features as my Model Y, like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. These features are free and standard for all Tesla vehicles. The Cybertruck also has Enhanced Autopilot, and all FSD beta features, designed to keep you safe. According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, and FSD beta features have shown a significant reduction in crash rates compared to vehicles without them. Sources even suggest that Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD beta features have an 86% lower crash rate than the US average. This is 3.7 times lower than Tesla vehicles without these features. When comparing the Cybertruck to other electric pickup trucks, such as the Ford Lightning, Rivian R1T, and the upcoming GM electric pickup, the Cybertruck stands out with its unique design, impressive towing capacity, extended range, and fast acceleration.
Utility
The Cybertruck boasts an impressive towing capacity and payload of 11,000 lbs., making it a fantastic choice when you need to haul heavy loads. The rear seat storage option and adaptive air suspension ensure improved off-road capability and ride comfort.
Technology
The Cybertruck boasts a range of newly engineered features, such as the highly acclaimed steer-by-wire for all 4 wheels and rear steering for improved handling, and 48 volt architecture that is ground-breaking in the automotive industry. Plus, it has a 15-speaker audio system with two subwoofers for your immersive listening experience.
Tesla’s Cybertruck Delivery Event had limited time. I chose to learn about Tesla’s redesigned steer-by-wire system, so I unfortunately missed the sound system demo.
Production and Manufacturing Challenges
The processes and challenges in engineering and manufacturing the Cybertruck are different than for any other vehicle. Tesla is making a significant investment in the biggest and most precise robots to ensure the successful production of the Cybertruck. I saw some robots that were so massive that I wondered how they existed on this earth!
I learned that to make Cybertrucks at the fastest rate, these robots are required. Here’s a picture of one that moves the Cybertruck body from the top floor where it is made to the lower floor where assembly continues.
My Thoughts
I plan to take delivery of a Cybertruck (when it’s my turn in the long queue). I want to experience the best combination of safety, utility, and technology that Tesla offers.
Disclaimer: I own TSLA shares and this article is adapted from the original I wrote for Xcelerate.
This article was written by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. I write to support Elon Musk companies.
Welcome to my 43rd Podcast. Chuck Cook arrives in Austin and we greet him at the airport. We invite him to take a ride in the Model Y to experience FSD beta for the first time in Austin, Texas. One of the hallmark moments of this podcast is a four lane unprotected LEFT turn which is similar to the one that Chuck made famous in his indirect work with the Tesla AI team in Palo Alto. Enjoy the Video!
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar, 2024 – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
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Join Gail Alfar as she takes you into the heart of the famous anticipated Tesla Cybertruck Delivery Event on November 30, 2023. You’ll feel like you are there too. Gail gets close-ups of the Tesla robot that installs the Cybertruck’s tires and takes you to a deconstructed Cybertruck. Don’t miss the baby Cybertruck and the amazing Cybertent!
Watch a robot install the glass roof of the vehicle and take in the exciting moments of the very first Cybertruck deliveries in history! Enjoy the video!
Here’s my quick recap of the cybertruck delivery event from today with 𝕏 timestamps 1:00 – first deliveries 4:20 – robot install tires 5:13 – cybertruck deconstruct 6:55 – baby c and cybertent 8:38 – robot install glass 𝕏 𝕏 enjoy PODCAST 42 𝕏 𝕏 pic.twitter.com/ec7Ph37GyU
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
Let’s head out of the city and visit the Boring Company’s beautiful HQ outside of Austin. But this is not just any trip. We are going to experience Tesla FSD beta all the way to the HQ. The smooth hassle-free driving is the envy of all the other stress-filled drivers on the road who must commute on human pilot. I’ll explain how tunnels can help solve traffic in Texas, and we will tour the new Hyperloop Plaza in Bastrop and even buy a snack before we head back! Enjoy the podcast!
Welcome to podcast No. 41 – we hop in the Tesla on FSD beta to the Boring Co. in Bastrop. A great place to visit if you’re near Austin. timestamps 🕳️ 00:30 – fsd beta v11.4.7.3 at 20x 01:28 – tunnels can help atx! 02:55 – to boring entrance 03:00 – welcome to boring co. hq… pic.twitter.com/OvbnUfnAyu
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
(S. Padre Island, Texas) Starship launched on 18 November out of Starbase and I joined thousands of people as the sun rose to reveal Starship across the bay. We all witnessed the fierce determination of an incredible launch test. I will share with you the inspiring thoughts of 4 people I met.
Visitors and residents of all ages, woke up before dawn to walk in the dark to the beach to better grasp the magnitude of Starship. Everyone I spoke with came away feeling more hopeful than before about a future where we will make it to Mars.
Moments before Starship Launch. Image by Gail Alfar.
A CHILD INSPIRED BY A GIFT FROM SPACEX
Six-year-old Grayson from Missouri was excited to show me a piece of tile from the heat shield of Starship. His Dad was in awe that SpaceX employees shared this with his family. The family let me open the plastic case up, take out the tile piece, and hold it. It was also emotional for me because I love those tiles so much. Grayson looked amazed too, then after a while, he said, “Can I give you one of my glow sticks?”
There is a certain love that comes from the heart of the mission of SpaceX that rubs off on people when they see a launch. Grayson had that. When I asked him what he thought about the launch, he said he “loved all of it!”
NASA EMPLOYEES AT THE LAUNCH
I met several NASA employees at Isla Blanca, from lead engineers to a man who works in the warehouse. I talked with many, or rather, I listened to them. I walked away with the knowledge that they admire the speed of which SpaceX operates.
Gynn Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX explains it this way,
“I do want to make something clear: SpaceX does have a lot of government business, but we execute in a commercial fashion.”
One NASA employee, Mike Pantaleo, brought his long lens camera, and told me, “I am capturing history.” Pantaleo admires the hard work of SpaceX employees, he explained to me that he deeply respects their valuable work.
A TOAST TO STARSHIP ON SOUTH PADRE
“Here, here, take a picture of this,” the bartender at Josephine’s on S. Padre was injecting liquid smoke into a cup of ice and mixing a drink, as he placed a rocket pop on top, he said, “I created this myself, I wanted it to look like Starship!” I loved the enthusiasm and laughter over breakfast on Saturday morning right after the launch. The restaurant was buzzing with excited people and the bartender added “Elon is cool!” I shared my just-taken video of the launch with a family from San Antonio who had arrived after the launch thinking it would happen later in the morning. Starship launched right on time, just moments after sunrise.
SHARING ENTHUSIASM IS PRICELESS
David, an engineer from Dallas, told me he was drawn to the people at the launch because of the shared enthusiasm for discussing details about Starship and genuine support for Elon Musk. He said, “when I’m at work, my colleagues are great people and they also do not share my level of excitement, it is so nice to be with others who do!“
David had the ability to paint a picture with his words, and when he talked about the day when Starships would launch at the rate of 2-3 per day, I could see that future. That’s the future we need.
“With Starship, actually, more profound than the size, is the fact that it is designed to be fully and rapidly reusable. The reason for the absurd size is that we are trying to build something that is capable of creating a permanent base on the moon and a city on Mars. That’s why it’s so large. Otherwise, we could make it much smaller.” – Elon Musk, IAC Space Conference 2023
Image Starship Launch 2 Courtesy of Elon Musk.
GROK’S TAKE: IMPRESSIVE AMBITION, WOBBLY IN EXECUTION
Grok (the new AI from xAI) chimed in about the launch, humorously saying that the launch was, impressive in its ambition, but somewhat wobbly in execution. Grok added “The success of the launch brings us one step closer to the dream of making humanity a multi-planetary species. Just imagine, in a few centuries, we could have humans colonizing Mars, living in biodomes and eating space-grown potatoes. It’s enough to make one wonder if Elon Musk has a secret stash of Douglas Adams novels tucked away in his office.”
MY THOUGHTS
The images in my mind of the starry morning dawn giving way to a bright sunrise, the warm waters on the beach, and the T-30-second countdown are part of what gives people of all ages immense hope for the future. The very sight of Starship pushing up, with so much mass, is both beautiful and fearsome. Leaving Starbase, I met over 40 Tesla owners at Superchargers in Alice who had been to the launch. This was no ordinary day, and we all knew it. The joy that comes with sharing the excitement of watching Starship launch is unlike anything else. I hope that you felt that joy in the live streams and the people you know here on X. This is the next best thing to being physically present at a launch!
Crowds await Starship Launch 2. Image by Gail Alfar.
Space is big. Really big
“Space is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist, but that’s just peanuts to space.” – Hitchhiker’s Guide
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Article by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. Thanks to @SpaceX and @elonmusk
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Join Gail and Johnna Crider in a FSD beta drive through Baton Rouge and then straight down to the river for a short interview that may help you if you are in need of a way to cope with difficult times in life.
We have a great talk, analyze a rare gemstone, and experience more Tesla FSD beta at night!
Johnna wanted to reach out to people with what works for her in difficult times and I hope it will also help you!
I was in Baton Rouge last week.
Join me & Johnna C down by the river for this 39th podcast. We have a great talk, analyze a rare gemstone, and experience Tesla FSD beta at night
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
Tesla FSD Beta goes over Pennybaker Bridge in Austin.
(Austin, Texas) Join me for what has been called 2023 Best FSD Beta Video!
FSD Beta IS AWARD WINNING!
Jokes aside, one of my followers on X loved the music so much in the video that he thought it should win an Academy Award for Seductive Category! I agree, Tesla FSD Beta is smooth as butter and could probably seduce even the biggest skeptic to enjoy Tesla’s incredible autonomy!
…and the academy award for 2023 best FSD video; seductive category, goes to GailAlfarATX!
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
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