Your Daily Elon Musk/Model 3 Update

With all the news swirling around Tesla Motors and its CEO Elon Musk since the Model 3 was revealed last Thursday, it’s hard to keep track of it all. Here’s what happened over the weekend. First off, reservations for the Model 3 continue to pour in.

Tesla has always welcomed feedback from its customers. Not everyone is thrilled with every aspect of the new car, particularly the blunt front end treatment and smallish trunk. Elon tweeted on Sunday afternoon, “In general, product comments, suggestions and criticisms are always welcome.”  With regard to the way the front of the car looks, he responded to one Twitter follower,  “Some tweaking underway.” Keep in mind the car is still 18 months away from production. The small trunk has come in for its share of criticism, but Musk says not to worry.

Maxx✩Madison ‎@CmaxVs

@elonmusk Thx for #Model3 ! Why small trunk lid instead of big hatchback like S&X? I ride a bike not a surfboard :)pic.twitter.com/e3pRMW3Gau

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Elon Musk 

✔‎@elonmusk

@CmaxVs Only way to get enough rear passenger headroom was to move the rear roof cross-car support beam. A bike will still fit no problem.

4:57 PM - 3 Apr 2016

 
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 Over the weekend, Musk also clarified that the Model 3 would come standard in single motor, rear wheel drive configuration. He also said a dual motor, all wheel drive version would be available that would be “a lot faster.” And here’s a bit of news. Some people who have made a reservation are miffed that the first deliveries will go to people who live closest to the factory. Keep in mind that the availability of the federal tax credit is going to be an issue by the time the first Model 3’s appear.

Once again, Musk says to relax and be happy. The first cars are being delivered nearby to make it possible for any early production glitches to be addressed and fixed ASAP without waiting for cars to be shipped long distances. Think of those early cars as beta testers and you might be glad yours won’t be one of them. Saving the best for last, Musk assured the faithful that the minimalist dash is indeed a hint about what is coming.

Cosmin Davidoaia ‎@HBL_Cosmin

@elonmusk 1.Ferrari like steering wheel 2.Move stick functions(turn signals,horn,etc.) on a paddle shifter behind wheel. That would be cool!

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Elon Musk 

✔‎@elonmusk

@HBL_Cosmin Wait until you see the real steering controls and system for the 3. It feels like a spaceship.

4:49 PM - 3 Apr 2016

 
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We will know more when Phase 2 of the Model 3 reveal is complete. Want to get excited? Check out this photo of the control system inside a SpaceX capsule. Will we see something like this inside production Model 3’s? If you know anything about the redoubtable Mr. Musk, prepare to be amazed.

 

Elon Musk Says Level 4 System Ready In 2 Years

In a wide ranging interview with Fortune on his way to watch the SpaceX launch on Monday, Elon Musk said Level 4 autonomous driving will be possible within 2 years. Earlier this year, he told reporters he thought such capability was 5 to 6 years away. Why the change?

Musk tweeted a few weeks ago that he is looking for software engineers to work on Tesla’s Autopilot suite of autonomous driving programs, calling it a “super high priority.” The Autopilot project reports directly to him. What Elon wants, Elon gets. People at Tesla are accustomed to doing the impossible ahead of time and under budget. If you can’t do that, you don’t work there. Simple as that.

Elon Musk 

✔@elonmusk

We are looking for hardcore software engineers. No prior experience with cars required. Please include code sample or link to your work.

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Elon Musk 

✔@elonmusk

Should mention that I will be interviewing people personally and Autopilot reports directly to me. This is a super high priority.

8:46 PM - 19 Nov 2015

Level 4 autonomous cars must be able to “perform all safety critical functions for an entire trip. This includes both occupied and unoccupied vehicles,” according to the US Department of Transportation. Musk told Fortune that even though the software will be available in two years, it will take another year until regulators are convinced it is safe to use on public roads. “The point at which it becomes statistically clear that an autonomous car is safer, I think, regulators will be comfortable with allowing it,” he says.

During that year, the software will operate in “shadow mode,” comparing what it is programmed to do with what actually happens in real world driving. Using artificial intelligence algorithms, it will teach itself how to deal effectively with what Musk calls “corner cases.” Those are the millions of unknown and unknowable situations that human drivers face every day. The distracted pedestrian who dashes into traffic unesxpectedly. The skateboarder who completes a perfect Ollie but lands in the middle of a crosswalk. The moment when a car runs a stop sign or slips sideways on an icy road.

Tesla has already turned its cars into one of the most advanced artificial intelligence networks in history. All of its cars with the Autopilot suite of sensors and software installed learn from their daily driving experiences and share that knowledge with each other. If there is road construction in Terre Haute, your Tesla will know about it, even if you live in Walla Walla and are driving in Indiana for the first time.

That’s exactly the kind of learning Musk expects Tesla’s Level 4 systems will do while working in “shadow mode,” waiting for regulators to turn them loose on public roads. He expects the network to provide the data regulators will rely on when deciding Level 4 autonomy is safe.

Tesla will not have the field for self driving cars all to itself, however. Google and Ford have just agreed to a partnership to produce autonomous cars. Faraday Future will unveil its self driving car at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Apple is still poking around with its Project Titanprogram. NextEV is making noise in China. Atieva has secured major funding for its new car project. And Uber is hot on the trail of building its own autonomous cars, assuming Tesla won’t be supplying it with cars any time soon.

But Tesla expects to be the firstest with the mostest when it comes to self driving cars. Its Autopilot system is already years ahead of its competitors and getting smarter every day. If I was a betting man, I would put my money on Musk — to win.