Inside Tesla: A Peek Behind the Curtain
Ever wondered what it's like to work alongside Elon Musk? Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's Vice President of AI Software, recently gave us a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of the most innovative companies on the planet. In a podcast chat with YouTuber Gobinath, Elluswamy shared his personal journey and insights into working with the enigmatic CEO, offering a rare and human perspective on life at Tesla.
A Decade of Innovation
Elluswamy, a robotics engineer originally from Tamil Nadu, India, has been with Tesla for nearly a decade. He was the very first engineer hired for the Autopilot team, a testament to his skills and the company's early faith in his abilities. His career trajectory – from joining in 2014 to his current VP role – perfectly mirrors Tesla's relentless pursuit of technological advancements.
- Early Career: Before Tesla, Elluswamy honed his skills at Volkswagen and WABCO, working with leading automotive research teams.
- Education: He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and a Master's in Robotics System Development from Carnegie Mellon University.
His journey from Chennai to Silicon Valley is an inspiring tale of perseverance and talent, a story that resonates with aspiring engineers worldwide, particularly in India.
Working with Elon Musk: A Unique Experience
Elluswamy painted a vivid picture of Elon Musk as a highly driven and intensely focused leader. "He works really hard, easily 80–90 hours a week," Elluswamy revealed, mentioning their weekly meetings. He described Musk's exceptional intelligence and ability to foresee future trends. But it's not all serious work; Elluswamy also highlighted Musk's surprising sense of humour, a side often unseen by the public. A clip of the interview shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed Elluswamy adding, "He is not afraid of taking risks. He is very funny. You can see it in person."
Musk's leadership style is hands-on and deeply involved in the technical details, a quality that has significantly influenced Elluswamy. He attributes much of his own success at Tesla to sharing similar traits with Musk: a strong work ethic and sharp technical intuition.
Tesla's Stock and Investor Confidence
Tesla's recent performance has been noteworthy, with a significant stock price increase. This upward trend has been fueled by several factors, including positive analyst reports highlighting the potential of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Goldman Sachs, a major investment bank, recently more than doubled its stake in Tesla, further demonstrating confidence in the company's future. However, Tesla's valuation remains a subject of debate, with some analysts pointing to potential risks alongside the opportunities.
- Goldman Sachs Investment: Goldman Sachs significantly increased its Tesla holdings, valuing its position at nearly $9 billion.
- Analyst Ratings: While some analysts maintain a positive outlook, others express caution due to factors like competition and margin pressures.
- Stock Performance: Tesla's stock price has seen significant growth in the past year, but concerns remain about its valuation.
The RoboTaxi Future and Regulatory Scrutiny
Tesla's ambitious robotaxi project is attracting significant attention, but also regulatory scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is requesting detailed information on how Tesla's autonomous vehicles will handle various challenging conditions. Elon Musk remains confident in the project's launch, but industry experts express skepticism about the company's readiness. The success of this initiative will play a critical role in justifying Tesla's high valuation.
Conclusion
Ashok Elluswamy's story offers a captivating insight into the world of Tesla, highlighting both the challenges and rewards of working alongside a visionary leader like Elon Musk. His journey underscores the power of dedication, hard work, and a shared vision in achieving remarkable success in the high-stakes world of technology. The future of Tesla, and the broader electric vehicle market, remains a fascinating story to watch unfold. The company’s stock performance, while currently strong, continues to be heavily influenced by technological advancements and regulatory approvals.
