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
Hey everyone, Gail here from Gail’s Tesla Podcast! If you’ve tuned into Episode 135 Part 2: “Austin After Dark – Robotaxi to Jazz Club & Exotic Gem Store,” you know it was all about embracing the night life in Austin using Tesla’s Robotaxi service. For those who haven’t watched the video yet (check it out on X!), this blog post dives deeper into the experience, sharing behind-the-scenes thoughts, key moments, and why Robotaxi is revolutionizing how we get around safely after dark. Let’s break it down.
Gail’s Podcast Episode 135: Austin After Dark – Robotaxi to Jazz Club & Exotic Gem Store. Its the safest way to get around. pic.twitter.com/oYZ8y8fAr6
The evening started with summoning a white Robotaxi—stunning under the city lights. After a red one earlier, this switch felt fresh and futuristic. Austin’s streets were buzzing, but hopping into the autonomous Tesla felt like stepping into a personal sanctuary. No worries about parking, traffic stress, or even designating a driver. The app’s seamless integration made it effortless: just tap, and the car arrives, ready to whisk you away.
One observation that hit me during the ride? Why aren’t there more Teslas on the road? People are missing out on this level of convenience and safety. Robotaxi handles everything with precision, from navigating busy intersections to adjusting for pedestrians. It’s not just transport; it’s freedom.
Destination 1: The Elephant Room Jazz Club
Arriving at the Elephant Room around 9:22 PM was magical. This underground jazz spot in downtown Austin is a hidden gem (pun intended for later), with live bands jamming under dim lights. We headed downstairs to soak in the vibes—think soulful saxophones, a smoky atmosphere, and crowds swaying to the rhythm. The Robotaxi dropped us right at the door, no circling for spots or dealing with valet hassles.
In the podcast, I captured the transition from the quiet ride to the lively club. It was a perfect demo of how Robotaxi enables spontaneous nights out. Safety-wise, it’s unbeatable: the car’s sensors and AI ensure smooth, incident-free travel, even in low-light conditions. If you’ve ever hesitated about going out late due to driving concerns, this changes everything.
Destination 2: The Exotic Gem Store
In addition to jazz, I also hopped into another Robotaxi for a quick ride to an exotic gem store—think crystals, amethysts, and all sorts of sparkling minerals under neon glows. Browsing the shelves felt like a treasure hunt, with geodes and pendants catching the light. It was a whimsical contrast to the jazz energy, and the short hop to the shop highlights Robotaxi’s efficiency.
The store’s owner even chatted about how autonomous rides could boost late-night business by making it safer and easier for people to explore. I picked up a small gemstone clock as a memento—symbolizing the clarity and peace that comes with not worrying about the drive home.
Key Takeaways and Reflections
Safety First: Throughout the three rides, Robotaxi demonstrated superb handling. No hesitations, no close calls—just smooth autonomy. It’s the safest way to navigate Austin after dark, especially with potential distractions like nightlife.
Freedom and Fun: This tech lets you focus on the experience, not the logistics. Hang out with friends, shop, or club-hop without a second thought.
Game-Changer Ahead: I can’t wait for widespread Robotaxi adoption. It’ll transform cities, making them more accessible and vibrant.
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:
Podcast Episode 132: Tesla Robotaxi, seamless autonomy through sun glare, first-time aerial views, and real insight pic.twitter.com/ZIKMpyqMsD
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!
Alexander Kristensen jets from Sweden to Austin to discuss the latest on Stockholm’s FSD push. Enjoy this conversation on Sweden’s autonomous driving future. Episode 128 is LIVE! 🚗 pic.twitter.com/e6Qwyf0WLQ
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.
This charming episode in Model y Saphire is dedicated to the We, Robot Event in LA on 10/10.
If you have any doubts about if Tesla FSD can navigate smoothly around Austin, Texas, then be sure to watch this full podcast. The Salty is the best place to indulge in donuts in Austin, Texas. Hands down they have the best donuts. Please try out their classic Salty when you come to Austin.
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I’m planning a little Telsa summer travel trip to the Texas Hill Country. I hope the ideas I share will be helpful to you when you plan your trip. So relax, imagine where you might drive to, grab an ice-cold Southern Sweet Tea, and enjoy!
On the road again in a Tesla [credit: K. Paquette]
Maximum Comfort
I love tinted windows and window sunshades. Tesla Fixed Glass Roof Sunshades work great in the summer to keep the car cool and block bright light when you want to rest or watch a movie during Supercharging.
When Supercharging, it is also great to get out of the car and check out the area, eat, and use the restrooms. Most Supercharging locations in rural Texas and elsewhere are near conveniences such as restaurants and bathrooms. At the Superchargers in Three Rivers, Texas, the Love’s Travel Stop welcomes Tesla owners by placing windshield cleaning buckets and squeegees by the Superchargers and providing clean bathrooms for free.
In some rare cases, you may need to be prepared to kindly ask to use the bathroom or buy something first. In one rural town, for example, I was happy to buy a fresh cookie to get the bathroom key.
Tesla Car Camping
If you plan to car camp in your Tesla, many RV parks offer nice bathrooms, showers, a dog park, a swimming pool, and washers & dryers. Bason RV Resorts in Belton, Texas warmly welcomes Tesla owners, and that wasn’t always the case because most patrons arrive with an RV. Be sure to have a discussion with the RV Resort you want to stay at first, you may be the first Tesla owner to stay there without an RV. A little kindness can go a long way, creating a great experience for you and future travelers.
With advance planning, you can also make a reservation for a spot with an electric hookup at a State Park. (They are often booked a year in advance).
Tesla explains the “Camp mode” setting,
Camp allows you to power electronics through the USB ports and low voltage outlet in addition to maintaining the cabin temperature.
The touchscreen remains on so you can play music, browse the internet, play games in the arcade, or watch shows in Tesla Theater.
You can also control media and climate settings from a paired phone.
Camp is ideal for remaining inside your vehicle, such as camping or staying with a child.
While active, Sentry Mode and the vehicle alarm system are disabled.
You can also control Camp from the mobile app, by swiping up from the gray bar on the Climate screen.
Staying Charged
Tesla provides an automatic navigation route that works very well. Tesla Superchargers are plentiful, and you can travel anywhere in the USA.
“PlugShare” App helps find hotels with destination charging. This app allows people to leave helpful comments, like the condition of the chargers and if they work.
Tesla NEMA 14-50 adapter can allow you to wander far away from the supercharger network without much range anxiety because the adapter turns most RV park spaces into a charger. At about 28 miles of charge an hour, you can sleep and wake up to a full charge.
Catching sunrise on a cross-country trip [credit: K. Paquette]
Tesla’s Official Website Has Important Summer Driving Tips
Climate Control Features, Accessories, and Tires are all critical factors when traveling in your Tesla in hot weather. Be sure to check out Tesla’s Support page titled “Summer Driving Tips.“
I recommend traveling in your Tesla. I think that travel is one of the best investments a person can make in their lifetime. I think it enriches the soul. You cannot take material things with you when you pass away, but it may be possible to take an enriched soul with you. I love this quote from Mark Twain,
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain
Gail Alfar, with special thanks to Jordan Greene, Benjamin Greene, and Kim Paquette for their valuable insight on travel in Teslas. [Edited by Sarah Alfar] Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – This blogpost was created utilizing STARLINK satellite services. All Rights Reserved. June 11, 2022
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