We were fortunate to be invited to the recent Tesla VIP event. We share what we can due to the NDA. We got to experience the Model 3 up close and we recount what stood out to us. Plus we caught footage of Model 3’s testing on the Tesla test track.

We discuss the latest specs Tesla has released about the Model 3, their strategy to push sales of Model S and try to correct confusion in the market about Model 3 being better than Model S. We also discuss what the limited set of configs for Model 3 at launch means. We reveal some new tips we have about the Model 3 HVAC system and Tesla’s work on a HUD.

Tesla has started collecting short video clips to help improve their self-driving software through crowdsourced learning from their fleet. They are using the clips to improve lane detection, sign recognition, traffic light locations and more. Plus the implications for these clips on training their neural nets, HD maps, and redundancy for sensing.

Elon is boring. We discuss one of Elon’s latest ventures – The Boring Company. We cover a brief history of tunnels, how Tunnel Boring Machines work, and some of the major tunneling projects in the US and Europe in recent decades. We unpack what The Boring Company is trying to do and what we know about the feasibility of their vision. 

We test drove a Volt. We discuss our recent Tesla Factory tour, as much as we are allowed, the brief silver Model 3 sighting we had outside the factory, and our impressions of the Volt, focusing on the UI and human machine interface choices. 

We unpack Tesla’s record Q1 2017 results. We discuss the latest updates on the Model 3 development, the production lines for Model 3, news about the service and Supercharger expansions, new information about Model Y’s new platform and automation, upcoming Gigafactories, Tesla Semi, China, Solar Roof and more. 

We discuss Tesla’s recent market cap passing Ford and GM to become the most valuable U.S. automaker. We discuss the basis for valuations, what influences valuations, and the different scenarios that lead to Tesla being valued more than GM and Ford today. And how Tesla could be worth Elon's supposed $1 Trillion valuation.

Apple was recently approved to test autonomous vehicles on the streets of California by the DMV. The long rumored Apple car project has been picking up in the recent months. We discuss the puzzle of what Apple could be working on and how they could bring a car or transportation service to market, and the difference in strategy compared to Tesla.

Caleb saw a Model 3 release candidate in person near Tesla HQ, and managed to take 25 photos of it up close. We discuss the sighting and impressions. And we also discuss the market the Model 3 is going to be competing in, the compact luxury sedan market against the BMW 3 series, the Audi A4, the Mercedes C-class and many others. 

Our spy shots: http://theteslashow.com/model-3-spy-shots/

Intel is buying Mobileye for $15 billion. Mobileye was a key supplier for Tesla’s Autopilot before Tesla moved to the new HW2 suite and Tesla Vision for software. We discuss the history of Mobileye, how they work with major automakers for ADAS, and their intentions to move into full self-driving functionality. We also unpack why Intel wanted Mobileye and how it will help bring the technology to market sooner.