Issue 366 - Tesla VP Ashok Elluswamy gives rare interview
Energy & Charging
Tesla Powerwall owners earn nearly $10 million through virtual power plants in 2024
Tesla Powerwall owners have received almost $10 million this year for supporting the grid through Virtual Power Plant programs. By allowing their home batteries to supply stored solar energy back to the grid, thousands of households are not only strengthening reliable energy availability but also earning real money. The rapid growth of VPPs is proving to be a win-win for both Powerwall users and the broader energy system, especially during grid emergencies.
Tesla looks to improve LFP battery performance and bring production to the U.S.
Tesla is working on a new patent to boost the performance of its LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries and aims to start producing them in the US. The approach mixes a small amount of nickel material into the LFP cathode, which promises longer life cycles, better performance at high temperatures, and less degradation over time, all while keeping costs low and tapping into local incentives. If successful, expect future Teslas and Powerwalls made in the US to be even more durable and reliable.
Robotaxi
Elon Musk confirms Tesla plan for robotaxis on Austin roads in June
Elon Musk just confirmed Tesla's first group of robotaxis will hit the streets of Austin by the end of June, using Model Ys with an updated version of FSD. The initial rollout will include just 10 cars, all operating without human safety drivers, and Tesla will carefully expand only if things go smoothly. Musk emphasized Tesla's unique approach of relying purely on AI and cameras instead of lidar or radar, and said a successful launch in Austin could quickly lead to thousands of robotaxis as well as expansion to LA and San Francisco. Exciting times ahead if Tesla cracks this!
FSD
Tesla posts FSD demonstrations in Australia and France 📹
Tesla recently showed off its Full Self-Driving system tackling the busy city streets of Melbourne and the notoriously hectic Arc de Triomphe in Paris, proving just how adaptable FSD Supervised has become. Both demos showed the Teslas handling challenging road conditions with poise, though the company notes these are supervised tests with a safety driver.
Tesla confirms FSD 'nudge' attention alerts are now less annoying
Tesla has responded to widespread driver feedback and adjusted the Full Self-Driving (FSD) attention "nudge," making it less sensitive when users interact with the center touchscreen or adjust settings. The fix, which appears to roll out first to cars with HW4, means fewer unnecessary interruptions for drivers who are still attentive. It's great to see Tesla act quickly when something is actually annoying real owners.
Tesla's smart summon patent describes how it works and hints at future abilities
Tesla's latest Smart Summon patent sheds light on how the system uses AI and sensors to let your car navigate complex environments to your chosen spot, even while you're on the move. The details reveal upcoming features like multi-story garage support, more precise arrival orientation, and potentially remote driver control—think RC car mode for your full-size Tesla.
Model Y
Tesla details latest safety addition with new Model Y
The new Model Y now features an in-cabin radar system designed to detect people inside, even by sensing heartbeats. This addition not only boosts safety for kids or pets left in the car but also supports cool new features like automatic parking brake engagement when someone exits.
Under the hood
Tesla VP Ashok Elluswamy gives rare interview 📹
Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's VP of AI Software, gave a candid interview where he talked about his journey from India to Tesla, what it's like working with Elon Musk, and shared a glimpse into the company's progress with FSD and the Optimus robot. He explained how AI is being embedded deeper into Tesla's vehicles and gave some fun anecdotes about Musk's leadership and sense of humor. Worth a watch if you’re curious about the minds shaping Tesla's tech!
Tesla engineers reveal how Optimus learns and show off its dance moves 📹
The latest videos of Tesla’s Optimus robot show off impressive new dance moves, including a cable-free performance that highlights major improvements in balance and agility. What’s even more exciting is how these skills are trained almost entirely in simulation using Tesla’s own reinforcement learning techniques, allowing Optimus to learn quickly and safely. Simulation makes it possible to replicate hundreds or thousands of scenarios that would take years for Optimus to experience in real life. While the idea of a dancing robot is fun, these rapid advancements hint at a future where Optimus might handle practical tasks with similar precision and speed.
🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.
FSD: Full Self-Driving
LFP: Lithium Iron Phosphate
VPP: Virtual Power Plant