(Austin, Texas) Episode 186 and 187 are a two-part conversation with actor Iba Thiam (@IbaAwaThiam), who lives here in Austin. We recorded in the car while Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) handled the roads, this was Iba’s first time experiencing it.
He is known for roles in Alita: Battle Angel, Queen of the South (Bilal), The Chosen, The Leftovers, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga. What I loved about this episode is that it is not only a first-FSD reaction. It is also the story of how he came to America from Senegal, how he got started as an actor, and how he learned to belong in a new place.
We split it into two parts because the conversation kept opening up.
Watch Part 1 here (first FSD ride, acting career, coming to America):
Episode 186 of Gail’s podcast with @IbaAwaThiam He tries Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for the first time and is amazed. We also talk about his acting career, coming to America, and how he got started. This is Pt. 1 of our conversation! pic.twitter.com/0GMVNT2A76
Watch Part 2 here (the conversation continues and gets even more interesting):
Episode 187 of Gail’s podcast with @IbaAwaThiam We continue the conversation in Austin and it gets even more interesting. He tries Tesla FSD Supervised and is amazed. This is Pt. 2. pic.twitter.com/Aoc6SIg5jH
Iba sat in the passenger seat for his first supervised FSD ride and was genuinely amazed watching the car take over. That first-time reaction never gets old. You can see it on his face: the car is the captain now, and we get to talk.
While FSD moved us through Austin, Iba talked about:
How he got into acting and the grind of finding representation (including those “speed dating” sessions with agents)
Coming to America and what it takes to feel like you belong
How easy it is to take ordinary things for granted
Why he likes being a little uncomfortable — that is often where the next chapter starts
Phones as one of the biggest causes of accidents, which landed differently while the car was driving itself
Part 2 stays in Austin and goes deeper. Same warmth, same curiosity, more of the story.
Why This One Matters
This is the kind of episode I want more of. A working actor who lives in this city, experiencing Tesla FSD for the first time, talking honestly about craft, risk, and starting over. The technology is the setting. The person is the point.
If you have ever wondered what it feels like to hand the wheel to FSD with someone seeing it for the first time, start with Part 1. If you want the rest of Iba’s story, go straight into Part 2.
Join the Conversation
Have you watched Episodes 186 and 187 yet? What stood out — Iba’s first FSD reaction, his path into acting, or the conversation about belonging?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read every one.
Stay curious. Stay adventurous. And keep enjoying the ride ahead! 🚕✨
Previous on the blog: Episode 172 – Zuby
Had such a great time meeting Iba Thiam and recording a podcast with him today! Can’t wait to share the episode tomorrow ( he just started a new account here on X. Please follow him @IbaAwaThiam ) pic.twitter.com/vWnv6JND9l
Episode 169 of Gail’s Tesla Podcast is live, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!
This time I climbed back into a Tesla Model Y running in full unsupervised Robotaxi mode for my second journey through Austin streets. Camera rolling the whole way, I captured my genuine, moment-by-moment reactions as the car took care of everything on its own. Downtown Austin energy, a stop at Starbucks on Riverside Drive, smooth navigation through real traffic — it felt like another chapter of living history. And the vibe? Straight-up gold Tesla energy all the way.
Watch the full ride and my unfiltered real-time commentary here:
Ep 169 of Gail’s Tesla Podcast is here! 🚕 My second unsupervised Model Y Robotaxi ride through Austin with real-time thoughts on this wild piece of history. Super excited to keep sharing the journey. Loving the gold Cybercab energy today 💛 pic.twitter.com/3RiATQU4jm
In the episode you’ll hear me chatting away as the car handles downtown streets, eases through traffic, and elegantly solves a specific maneuvering situation near the coffee shop. One feeling kept coming up for me: “I just feel really safe and relaxed.” No stress, no hovering over imaginary pedals, only the simple pleasure of being a passenger in a vehicle that clearly understands its world.
What This Ride Revealed About the Technology We’re Actually Living With
There’s a special kind of wonder that comes from experiencing autonomy not in a polished demo video, but on the exact streets you drive every day. What made this second ride feel so capable, so natural, didn’t happen by accident. Several deep, compounding strengths showed up in quiet but powerful ways.
The car perceives everything through its cameras alone. No bulky extra sensors, no spinning LiDAR on the roof, no radar arrays like Waymo, just a clean, elegant vehicle reading the visual world the way humans do. That choice creates a system that feels integrated rather than bolted-on, and it performed beautifully in the mixed lighting, tree cover, and urban clutter of Austin.
That visual intelligence is trained on something no one else has at anywhere near this scale: billions of miles of real driving data collected from Teslas all over the world. The situations I saw today — busy intersections, pedestrians, cyclists, tight spots — aren’t rare edge cases in a simulator. They’re variations the AI has already studied thousands of times in similar real-world conditions. You can feel that collective experience in how confidently and proactively it drives.
Equally important is how it makes decisions. The autonomy stack uses end-to-end neural networks that map raw camera input straight to smooth vehicle controls. There’s no layer of brittle if-then rules trying to anticipate every possibility. The result is driving that feels holistic and context-aware — exactly what you want when the car has to resolve a real parking or departure challenge on the fly, the way it did for me near Riverside Drive.
None of this capability appears without serious computational horsepower dedicated to training on massive video datasets. Purpose-built infrastructure for processing driving data at enormous scale has made it possible to turn raw fleet experience into rapidly improving intelligence. Every unsupervised mile contributes to the next leap forward.
It also matters that this intelligence lives inside a vehicle platform that was designed for deep, continuous integration. The Model Y has evolved alongside the autonomy software through years of over-the-air updates. That tight coupling between hardware and software — refined on the road, not just in the lab — is what lets the car feel responsive and reliable instead of hesitant or overcautious.
What stands out most is the clear destination the work has been pointed toward all along: genuine unsupervised operation on ordinary public roads. Not perpetual supervision, not limited geofenced zones, but the confidence to let the vehicle handle complex, dynamic city driving without a safety driver present. Feeling that trust validated in practice — relaxed in the passenger seat while the car just… handles it — turns “someday” into something you can experience today.
And because the system keeps learning, the car I rode in yesterday is already smarter than the one from last month. Fleet-wide updates roll out regularly, folding lessons from rides just like this one into every vehicle. It’s a living technology that gets better with use rather than one that ships and then slowly ages.
As I finished this ride, that forward-looking excitement was everywhere — the same gold Cybercab energy that has me genuinely counting down to purpose-built robotaxi vehicles designed from the ground up for joyful, efficient, autonomous mobility. The unsupervised rides we’re taking right now in current models are the essential bridge to that next chapter.
These in-car episodes aren’t just tech demos for me. They’re a way of documenting a transformation I get to live inside my own city and sharing the real wonder (and occasional delighted “wait… it just did that?!” moments) with all of you who are following along.
If you haven’t watched yet, pour yourself something nice and take the ride with me. Then come back and tell me in the comments:
What stood out most to you in this episode?
Did any particular moment make the progress feel especially real?
Have you tried an unsupervised Robotaxi ride yourself, or are you as excited as I am about where this is all heading?
I read every single comment and I’m grateful for this community. The journey is so much richer when we share it.
Stay curious. Stay adventurous. And keep watching the road ahead — it’s getting more interesting every single week. 🚕✨
In this episode, David Moss joins me inside the car while we drive using Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD). He shares his firsthand experiences and thoughts after taking multiple unsupervised Robotaxi rides in Austin’s recently expanded service zone.
This is Part 1 of our conversation, with more to come soon. The discussion delivers a real-time, in-car perspective on how Tesla’s autonomous technology is performing in everyday driving conditions across Texas.
Watch the full episode here (or tap the X post for the video):
Ep 165 is here! David Moss is back in town and joins me in the car on FSD for this podcast. He shares his thoughts on his unsupervised Robotaxi rides in Austin’s expanded zone. Part 1 of our conversation drops now, more coming soon pic.twitter.com/iGulQrqVad
These in-car rides and conversations highlight the steady real-world progress Elon and the Tesla team continue to deliver every day as Robotaxi service grows in Austin and beyond.
Leave a comment
What stood out most to you in this episode? Have you taken an unsupervised Robotaxi ride in Austin’s expanded zone yet? Drop your thoughts or share your own Tesla story below.
In this episode, I hopped into a Robotaxi and rode straight to SXSW in Austin. The autonomous drive was smooth and confident as we moved through city streets, delivering another strong example of Tesla’s real-world FSD progress in Texas.
At the event I spent time with both Optimus and the Cybercab. The displays looked impressive under bright Texas sunshine during the day and equally striking with starlight views at night. I also recorded rare interviews with David Moss and Josh West — two dedicated voices in the Tesla community who shared their perspectives on autonomy and the future of abundance.
This episode captures practical Robotaxi use, up-close looks at Tesla’s latest robotics and vehicle tech, and thoughtful conversations about where the technology is headed right now.
Watch the full episode here (or tap the X post for the video):
Ep 164 is here! Jump in Robotaxi to go to SXSW and hang with Optimus & Cybercab for this podcast. The best sunshine and starlight views! Plus rare interviews with David Moss & Josh West. In a world racing toward abundance, are you rooting for Tesla? ❀・。・✿・゜✭・。・❀ pic.twitter.com/tIoXtJ5p60
These clips show the steady advancements Elon and the Tesla team continue to deliver every day — from everyday autonomous rides to next-generation robots and vehicles already appearing in public.
Leave a comment
What stood out most to you in this episode? Have you taken a Robotaxi ride yet or seen Optimus in person? Are you excited about Tesla’s push toward abundance? Drop your thoughts or your own Tesla story below.
Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi open door view during Gail’s autonomous ride to SXSW in Austin, Texas. Real-world FSD in action – spacious interior and sunny downtown streets captured in Episode 164 of Gail’s Tesla Podcast.
My heart is full after putting together Episode 163: officially titled “If You’re Not on FSD What Are You Doing!?”
This one is packed with real-life Tesla magic happening right now in Austin, Texas. I took you along for the ride (literally!) as we spotted coal miners in Austin, cruised through downtown, and enjoyed three smooth, confident, unsupervised Robotaxi rides that show exactly why the future of abundance is already here.
From heading out to catch a Robotaxi (“check it out we’re heading to go catch a robo taxi i hope”), soaking in those pretty Texas roads, napping in the back seat like it’s the most natural thing in the world, to navigating busy city streets with zero interventions — the autonomy is buttery smooth and getting better every day. You’ll see thoughtful little touches too, like the open-the-trunk button right in the app (Tesla really does think of everything). And yes, we even had a moment wondering why certain features weren’t showing up yet on the screen — classic real-world FSD adventure!
These aren’t just clips. They’re your moments in a world of coming abundance ❀・🎶・゜✭・。・✿・。・゜✭・。・❀ — everyday freedom, joy, and proof that if you’re not on FSD yet… what are you doing!? No driver, no stress, just Tesla delivering safe, fun, life-changing rides.
Watch the full episode here (or tap the X post for the video):
Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep 163: If you’re not on FSD what are you doing!? Coal miners in Austin. Downtown and 3 Robotaxi rides Your moments in a world of coming abundance ❀・🎶・゜✭・。・✿・。・゜✭・。・❀ pic.twitter.com/x6ddX1ThNN
These clips are glimpses of the abundance future Elon and the Tesla team are building every single day. From family adventures to downtown errands, Robotaxi (and FSD) is already making life easier, safer, and way more fun.
Leave a comment
What did you think of the episode? Are you on FSD yet? Have you taken a Robotaxi ride? Drop your favorite moment or your own Tesla story below.
Happy Valentine’s day 2026! Episode 159 is pure love for you from start to finish!
This time I let Eve — the soothing Grok AI voice right inside my Tesla — plan the entire perfect day, and she absolutely nailed it! From her very first suggestion at 00:20, we hopped in the car and let FSD take over for completely seamless drives through The Domain (04:13) and North Austin (06:35). The entire ride was buttery smooth, hands-off the whole time, and a pure joy — perfect speed, effortless handling, and zero stress the whole way. We even made a fun stop at Asia Market 99 (09:02) for some shopping treasures.
The emotional highlight? Watching the Robotaxi arrive at 10:26 and then depart at 13:37. By 14:13 I was genuinely feeling every bit of “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” It was such a touching, real-life glimpse into the robotaxi future that’s coming faster than we think.
These kinds of experiences remind me every single time how Tesla and Elon Musk are moving humanity ahead. They’re not just building incredible cars and software — they’re creating a world of true abundance where families get back precious time, roads become safer than ever, and technology lets us live more fully instead of fighting traffic. Every smooth FSD drive and every conversation with Eve (Grok) in the car is proof we’re already stepping into that brighter future.
🎙️ Watch the full episode right here:
Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep 159: Eve Plans the Perfect Day – Domain to Asia Market & Robotaxi Handover⁰Timestamps:⁰00:20 Eve suggests where to go⁰04:13 Drive through Domain⁰06:35 Drive through N Austin⁰09:02 Asia Market 99 Trip 🧧⁰10:26 Robotaxi arrives⁰13:37 Robotaxi departs… pic.twitter.com/rFBJ0caDA9
Hey Tesla Autonomy fans, Gail Alfar from Gail’s Tesla Podcast! Episode 144 is a live X broadcast from my Tesla Model 3, showcasing the jaw-dropping power of FSD V 14. Jump into the video (linked on X) for the full ride—especially the parking magic at 6:15. Here’s the scoop: blazing autonomy, Mad Max mode to County Line BBQ, and why this is going to change everything.
At 6:15 in the livesream, V 14 backs into the perfect parking spot!
Live Ride: Austin to BBQ
I set up Livestreaming in X in my Model 3 in Austin, and began cruising to County Line BBQ. FSD 14’s neural nets are better than ever—smooth merges, sharp lane switches, zero fuss. We flipped to Mad Max mode for that bold, Texas vibe, slicing through traffic with safe precision.
What I thought was a disadvantage (I’m currently unable to upload any videos to X) turned into something fun and also fast, I have no post production editing to do for this pod, as livestream’s are what they are!
Mad Max Parking Heroics
The showstopper hits at 6:15 in the livestream—FSD 14 in Mad Max mode spots a tight parking space at County Line BBQ and nails it. Lightning-fast, the Model 3 locks onto the spot, reverses, and backs in with surgical speed, inches from perfection. No hesitation, no corrections—just pure AI brilliance parking faster than any human could. This moment had me floored, and I was thinking how wild it is to experience this. This that will one day be normal. Steps away from BBQ heaven, I truly love Tesla, Texas, AND BBQ!
At 6:15 in the livesream, V 14 backs into the perfect parking spot!
Tech Takeaways
FSD Elite: V14’s end-to-end learning makes Mad Max a parking wizard—safe, swift, stunning.
Autonomy Freedom: Hands-free rides like this redefine travel.
Live Buzz: The broadcast captures the thrill—6:15 is your must-see.
Catch the live ep on X and fast-forward to 6:15 for that parking flex.
Welcome back! This is Gail Alfar from Gail’s Tesla Podcast! Episode 139 captures a smooth Robotaxi run to Sushi by Scratch near the Driskill Hotel, plus an Austin cruise where we spot another Robotaxi ahead. The X video (about 8 minutes) dives into safety, security, and affordability chats. Here’s the quick breakdown for you busy engineers.
🚀 Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 139: Robotaxi to Sushi by Scratch (across from Driskill Hotel) & seamless Austin cruise, spotting another Robotaxi ahead. Conversation on how safe, secure and affordable Robotaxi is! pic.twitter.com/6WzlApExdK
Started with a Robotaxi summon for a seamless downtown Austin glide. FSD handled traffic like a pro—precise merges, no hesitations. Spotted another Robotaxi leading the way, highlighting Tesla’s growing fleet presence. Perfect demo of network effects in action.
Sushi Stop and Vibes
Dropped off across from the historic Driskill Hotel at Sushi by Scratch. Quick, curbside precision parking let us jump straight into the meal. Chatted on the ride about Robotaxi’s edge: Top-tier safety via AI sensors, secure Bluetooth access, and unbeatable affordability—no tips needed, total for THREE rides just $11.53.
Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 139: Robotaxi to Sushi by Scratch (across from Driskill Hotel)
Tech Takeaways
Safety & Security: AI owns edge cases, Bluetooth locks add peace of mind.
Affordability Win: Low cost, high convenience—beats traditional rideshares.
Hey Tesla supporters, this is Gail Alfar from Gail’s Tesla Podcast! Episode 138 pairs Elon Musk’s Q2 earnings highlights with real Austin Robotaxi footage.
The X video (under 7 minutes) is packed—check it for the full audio and drives. Here’s the breakdown: rollout wins, regulatory pushes, and autonomy’s edge.
Gail’s Tesla Podcast Episode 138: Tesla Robotaxi Austin Autonomous Rollout Elon Musk Q2 Earnings Insights pic.twitter.com/dqOoOgnSzY
Elon details Robotaxi’s Austin launch: Unsupervised rides for paying customers, no driver needed. Service area’s expanding fast—bigger than competitors, with more growth in weeks. Footage shows Model Ys navigating urban streets, parking, and night drives flawlessly.
Expansion and Regs
Permissions pending for Bay Area, Nevada, Arizona, Florida. Goal: Cover half US population with autonomous hailing by year-end, safety first. Europe and China FSD approvals incoming—expect sales spikes once supervised mode unlocks.
Robotaxi App is elegant and beautiful to use.
Sales and Tech Edge
Model Y tops global charts, even without full autonomy. Supervised FSD’s a huge draw; production lags Robotaxi AI but catching up soon. Loosening driver attention rules will fix odd disengagements, boosting safety.
Tech Takeaways
Hyper Growth: Fleet ops scaling exponentially.
Global Push: Regs unlocking Europe/China demand.
AI Polish: Step-change improvements ahead for all users.
Watch on X for Austin vibes and Elon’s full take. Thoughts on rollout? Comment below. Next: Cyber updates. Stay electric!
Hey Tesla FSD fans, Gail Alfar from Gail’s Tesla Podcast! Episode 137 features Aaron Cash, founder of ABetterTheater and Tesla enthusiast, showcasing his over the top Cybertruck and joining me for a Robotaxi cruise in Austin. The X video (20 minutes, pure Cyber magic) is a must-watch. This post breaks down the tech, vibes, and why this ride-along is significant. Let’s watch!
Ep. 137: Cybertruck Tour & Robotaxi Experience with Aaron Cash, in an Austin Ride-Along
While today’s somber remembrances rightly take center stage on X, this episode offers a refreshing, welcome distraction pic.twitter.com/27eNno1qxl
We kicked off near Five Guys Burgers in Northwest Austin—no Giga Texas lot here. Aaron walked us through his Cybertruck, its stainless steel exoskeleton wrapped in matte black. Inside: a cavernous vault bed with power outlets, adaptive air suspension smoothing bumps, and steer-by-wire making tight turns a breeze. He explains Instant camper mode, which I mistakenly thought were solar panels on top of the truck! Note: The 48V system cuts wiring by 70%, boosting efficiency. Aaron’s take—500+ mile range, 11,000-lb towing—had me sold.
Cybertruck Tour & Robotaxi Ride with Aaron Cash in Austin
Robotaxi Run: Austin Autonomy in Action
We swapped to a white Model Y Robotaxi near Planet Fitness. It glided through Northwest Austin’s evening traffic—flawless merges, pedestrian dodges. Aaron and I chatted rollout: Elon’s fleet vision, cars earning, all while the Robotaxi took on the streets of Austin during rush hour with NO problems! Bonus: Aaron geeked out on his ABetterTheater app, an easy to use hub for streaming Netflix, YouTube, and Tesla tools right from the car’s screen—check it at members.abettertheater.com for seamless in-ride entertainment.
Tech Takeaways
Cybertruck Power: Built tough, wired smart—perfect for anyone ready to push the limits.
Robotaxi Flow: Very low cost rides maximize focus, minimize stress.
Aaron’s Vision: Autonomy’s close, and Tesla’s leading the way!
Cybertruck Tour & Robotaxi Ride with Aaron Cash in Austin
whatsuptesla.com 