Tesla's AI Future: Ashok Elluswamy on FSD, Robotaxi, and AGI

Are you fascinated by Tesla's vision for autonomous driving and artificial intelligence? In an interview on May 16, 2025, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's Vice President of Autopilot and AI Software, discussed the advancements in Full Self-Driving (FSD), plans for Robotaxi, the humanoid robot Optimus, and the prospects for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). In this article, you will learn how Tesla aims to transform mobility and society by 2035.

The Path to Fully Autonomous Driving

The core of Tesla's AI strategy is the vision that all new vehicles will one day drive autonomously. Elluswamy emphasized:

Long-term goal: By 2035, manually driven cars could become a niche hobby, while self-driving vehicles become the norm.
Challenges: Current Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including FSD, need to become more reliable before the driver can be completely removed. Safety is the top priority, especially with the Robotaxi launch in June 2025 in Austin, Texas, where accidents could jeopardize the program.

Tesla's approach is based on machine learning, not traditional programming. The AI learns collectively from the experiences of the entire Tesla fleet, enabling consistent improvement across all vehicles. Users on X, like @TeslaAIFan, praise: “FSD’s fleet learning is like a digital brain growing smarter every day.”

No LiDAR: Tesla's Vision-Only Philosophy

Elluswamy reaffirmed Tesla's rejection of LiDAR:

Reasons: High costs and low scalability make LiDAR unattractive, while vision-based systems (cameras + AI) are getting better and better.
Advantage: Tesla's Tesla Vision is flexible and does not require prior mapping, facilitating rollout in new markets like Australia or India.

This philosophy sets Tesla apart from competitors like Waymo, who rely on LiDAR and HD maps, allowing for quick adaptations to complex traffic conditions.

FSD Beyond Cars: Optimus and Robotics

Tesla's AI is not limited to cars. The humanoid robot Optimus uses the same AI4 hardware and a variant of FSD. Elluswamy predicts a robotics wave in the next 10-20 years:

Capabilities: By 2035, humanoid robots could take on complex tasks like industrial work or household chores (e.g., doing the dishes, walking the dog) and respond to natural language.
Development: Optimus is currently learning through motion-capture suits, but will soon benefit from YouTube tutorials and self-directed learning, similar to a child with toys.
Computing power: The construction of Cortex 2.0 in Giga Texas and Dojo 2 (2026) provides the necessary computing power for Optimus and FSD.

On X, @OptimusFan is excited: "Ashok's vision for Optimus by 2035 is mind-blowing – robots doing chores!"

AGI and Sustainable Abundance

Elluswamy made a bold prediction: AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) could become a reality in 10 years (by 2035), based on advancements in deep learning. Within 15 years, AI programs could take over most human tasks, from spreadsheets to athletic activities.

This aligns with Tesla's new mission of sustainable abundance, which has shaped the company's philosophy since the All-Hands Meeting 2025:

Goal: Intelligent machines and robotics should reduce poverty by taking on productive and creative tasks.
Win-Win: People can focus on what they love, instead of what they have to do.

Elluswamy sees AGI as the key to realizing this vision, with Tesla as a pioneer.

Future of Mobility

By 2035, Elluswamy expects all new cars to be autonomous, radically changing mobility:

Car Ownership: Will become a "premium experience," as robotaxi services make ownership unnecessary for many.
Infrastructure: Parking spaces will shrink, drop-off zones will grow, and traffic signs could become obsolete as autonomous vehicles use digital signals.
Robotaxi: The launch in Austin with 10-20 Model Y in June 2025 is the first step, with plans for 1,000 robotaxis and a million autonomous Teslas by 2026.

Users on X, like @TeslaFuture, are thrilled: "Ashok's 2035 vision: no human drivers, just robotaxis everywhere!"

Tesla in India: FSD as a Gamechanger

Elluswamy also spoke about Tesla's plans for India, where a Gigafactory in Satara, Maharashtra, is set to assemble vehicles by March 2026:

FSD Advantage: India's chaotic traffic is ideal for FSD, which can adapt to unpredictable conditions.
EV Potential: Electric vehicles suit the short, urban trips in India and could improve air quality.
Challenge: FSD must cope with minimal traffic rule compliance, which is why Tesla is hiring Autopilot Vehicle Operators in India.

This focus could accelerate Tesla's market entry in India and serve as a testing ground for FSD in complex environments.

Relevance for Europe

For European Tesla fans, Elluswamy's interview is a glimmer of hope, despite regulatory hurdles:

FSD: The introduction on European highways is planned for September 2025, and progress in the USA could increase pressure on authorities.
Robotics: Optimus could be used in European factories (e.g., Giga Berlin) to automate production.
AGI : Tesla's advancements in AGI could stimulate European innovations in AI and mobility, even if implementation takes longer here.

Conclusion: Tesla's AI vision becomes reality

Ashok Elluswamy's interview shows how Tesla is shaping the future with FSD, Optimus, and AGI. The Robotaxi launch in June 2025, the Cortex 2.0 computing power, and the vision of sustainable abundance by 2035 are milestones. For European readers, this is an exciting outlook, even if FSD and Robotaxi are still awaiting regulatory approvals here. Look forward to a world where Tesla's AI transforms mobility and life – and check out the interview to learn more!