Tag: Tesla

Elon’s Urgent Vision: Locating AI to Deep Space

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Elon Musk explains why we’ll have to move AI to deep space.

Elon Musk: “I see a path to Starship cost-per-ton-to-orbit being lower than air flight. That opens up a very wide range of possibilities.

The most obvious one I think is actually solar-powered AI satellites. So, to move the AI to orbit and essentially deep space over time, because you can actually access over a billion times more energy from the sun in deep space than you can on Earth.

To scale to Kardashev, to make any progress on a Kardashev 2 scale, which is using some non-trivial amount of energy from the sun, you kind of have to do space solar power.

You could only beam a tiny amount of that back to Earth or you would melt Earth. Earth actually receives a very, very tiny amount of the sun’s energy. I mean, Earth is a tiny dust mote.

Earth, to scale with the sun, we look like a little crumb.

So, to scale civilization, to be at all relevant on a Kardashev 2 scale, like to even use a millionth of a percent of the Sun’s energy, you really have to have your solar power in deep space.”

Elon at Tesla Shareholder Meeting, November 6, 2025

Tesla’s 22-Year EV Revolution: 2003–2025 Milestone Timeline

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I received my Tesla Bomber Jacket celebrating 20 years of Tesla accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. The jacket is superb, I can’t say enough, and it also, to me, signifies the SHIFT Tesla is undergoing to where their mission is now,

Accelerating the worlds transition to sustainable abundance

It is worth taking a look back at this Tesla timeline, as so much has been accomplished in a mere 2 decades.

Tesla Timeline: Key Milestones (2003–2025)

2003

  • July 1: Incorporated in San Carlos, CA by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Named after Nikola Tesla; focus on high-performance EVs inspired by AC Propulsion’s tzero.

2004

  • Feb: Series A funding – $7.5M raised; Elon Musk invests $6.5M, becomes chairman and largest shareholder. Roadster project kicks off using Lotus Elise chassis + 53 kWh Li-ion pack (244 mi range, <4s 0–60).

2005

2005 marked Tesla’s critical ramp-up phase, securing the foundation for its 2006 Master Plan. In February 2005, the Series B funding round closed at $13 million—led by Elon Musk—to bankroll initial engineering hires and Roadster development. From mid-2005 through 2006, engineers tested Roadster drivetrain prototypes pairing a 2-speed transmission with an AC induction motor, targeting 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds and a 245-mile range (ultimately shifting to a single-speed design by 2007).

  • Feb: Series B funding – $13M led by Elon with Valor Equity.
  • July 11: Lotus supply deal signed for Elise “gliders.”
  • Mid-year: Roadster dev ramp – test mules built; battery safety/thermal tests; clay models for aero.
  • Tesla files its first patent for a lithium-ion battery pack architecture (US Patent 7,285,361, filed Feb 2005

2006

  • May 19: First battery pack patent filed (US 7,432,257).
  • July 19: Roadster prototype unveiled in Santa Monica.
  • Aug 2: Elon posts “Secret Master Plan” blog – sports car → affordable car → zero-emission power.

2007

  • Aug: Eberhard replaced as CEO by Michael Marks amid delays/costs.

2008

  • Feb: First customer Roadster delivered to Elon.
  • Mar 17: Production starts at Lotus (UK); ~2,450 total units by end.
  • Oct: Elon becomes CEO; injects $40M+ personal funds amid crisis.

2009

  • Mar: Model S prototype unveiled; >520 reservations in weeks.

2010

  • May: Buys Fremont NUMMI plant for $42M.
  • June 29: IPO – $226M raised at $17/share (TSLA).
  • Oct: Fremont reopens.

2012

  • June 22: Model S deliveries start (up to 300 mi range).
  • Sep: First OTA update. Supercharger network launches.

2013

  • End-year: >22,000 vehicles delivered. Quarterly profitability achieved.

2015

  • Oct: Autopilot introduced (HW1). Model X deliveries.

2016

  • Mar 31: Model 3 unveiled; >300K reservations in a week.
  • July 20: Master Plan Part Deux.
  • Nov 21: SolarCity acquisition ($2.6B).

2017

  • July: Model 3 production starts.
  • Aug: $1.8B senior notes.

2018

  • Q3: >5K Model 3/week; profitability. ~145K Model 3 delivered.

2019

  • Mar 14: Model Y unveiled.
  • Apr 22: Autonomy Day – FSD hardware.
  • Dec: Shanghai Gigafactory starts Model 3.

2020

  • Mar 13: Model Y deliveries.
  • Sep 22: Battery Day – 4680 cells announced.
  • End: ~79K Model Y.

2021

  • Early: Shanghai Model Y.
  • Oct: FSD Beta rollout. Berlin groundbreaking (2020) → pilot lines.

2022

  • Mar: Berlin opens (Model Y).
  • Apr: Texas opens (Model Y with 4680). >1.5M annual capacity.
  • Nov: Cybertruck prototype updates.

Giga Texas Coordinates (30.22087° N, 97.61864° W)

  • Embroidered in gold thread on the chest.
  • Why diamond-aligned to true north? Likely it is for Enhanced functionality inside the factory and ideally positioned solar panels to maximize solar energy use.  Elon said  in a 2021 post on X that the factory was:

“Shaped like a diamond & aligned on true north.” – Elon Musk

2023

  • July 16: First Cybertruck off line.
  • Nov 30: Cybertruck deliveries start (Foundation Series).
  • Apr: Master Plan Part 3.

2024

  • Oct 10: Cybercab unveiled (“We, Robot”). >1.78M deliveries.
  • Cumulative: >7.95M vehicles.

2025

  • Q1–Q3: 1.22M deliveries; record Q3 497K. Energy: 12.5 GWh Q3.
  • June 22: Robotaxi service launches (Austin, modified Model Y).
  • July: Optimus Gen 3 limited sales teased.
  • Oct 23: Q3 earnings – production start Cybercab <251 days.
  • Cumulative energy: >31 GWh paired with solar. Superchargers: >74K stalls.

(Sourced from Grokipedia; verified via SEC, patents, Tesla reports.)

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 144: Experiencing V 14 Autonomy with Lightning-Fast Parking!

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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.

—Gail

Gail’s Tesla Podcast Ep. 137: Cybertruck Tour & Robotaxi Ride with Aaron Cash in Austin

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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!

Cybertruck Tour: Rugged Innovation Unleashed

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

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

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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

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

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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!

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