Latest / Elon Musk Podcast / Tesla FSD 13.2 Reviews and SpaceX News

Transcript

Tesla FSD 13.2 Reviews and SpaceX News · Elon Musk Podcast

0:01
Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast.
0:05
This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that
0:08
shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The Boring Company and Neurolink.
0:13
I'm your host, Will Walden. So do you remember for the last
0:19
decade Elon Musk saying the full self driving for Tesla cars was
0:24
just around the corner? Well, with this new FSD version
0:28
13.2 roll out and this potential upgrade during the Trump
0:35
presidency, should we finally take these claims seriously?
0:40
While Tesla initiated deployment of its newest Full Self, driving
0:44
the FSD software version 13.2 to employees and select customers
0:49
during the weekend, propelling the company's stock value
0:52
higher. In Monday trading, the EV
0:54
manufacturer shares rose 3.2% to $356.07, extending a remarkable
1:02
37% increase since the November 5th presidential election
1:07
results. Now, the latest FD upgrade
1:09
promises substantial improvements in autonomous
1:12
driving caabilities, with Tesla forecasting a sixfold reduction
1:16
in required driver interventions per mile traveled.
1:21
Now, early demonstrations of version 13.2 revealed enhanced
1:25
functionalities, including the system's ability to navigate
1:28
from parking spot to parking spot with minimal human
1:32
interaction. Now, Tesla's artificial
1:34
Intelligence division announced the update through its social
1:37
media account on X, stating new Brain who DIS.
1:42
NOW investment firm Stifle, demonstrated confidence in
1:46
Tesla's autonomous driving technology by substantially
1:49
increasing its stock price target from $287.00 to $411.00.
1:55
The adjustment primarily stems from analysts optimistic outlook
1:58
regarding the company's robotaxi program, dubbed Cyber Cab, and
2:02
continued advancement in self driving technology.
2:06
His assessment comes despite maintaining steady EBITDA
2:10
projections for 2024 and 2025 and reducing expectations for
2:15
2026. Now, financial analysts at Roth
2:19
MKM upgraded Tesla stock rating from Neutral to Buy,
2:23
establishing a new price target of $380.00, significantly higher
2:27
than their previous $80 a target.
2:31
Now, the firm's analysts suggest that Elon Musk's public support
2:35
for former President Trump and new President Trump has expanded
2:39
Tesla's consumer base and strengthened confidence in
2:41
potential market growth. Now, Tesla CEO Elon Musk
2:45
projected achievement of genuine autonomous driving capability by
2:49
mid 2025, focusing initialing on Model 3 and on Model Y vehicles
2:56
in California and Texas. Now, during Tesla's third
3:00
quarter earnings call last year, Musk acknowledges sorry.
3:04
Earlier this year, Musk acknowledges tendency to provide
3:07
optimistic timelines while also revealing potential hardware
3:10
limitations in vehicles equipped with hardware 3 point O,
3:14
promising free upgrades if necessary.
3:18
Now, early user feedback from experience FSD testers indicate
3:22
substantial improvements in the system's performance.
3:25
Veteran tester Dirty Tesla on X reported successful navigation
3:30
through snow covered dirt roads with complete autonomy, while
3:34
aid driver noted superior ride smoothness compared to
3:39
professional ride sharing services.
3:42
Now, the technical implementation of FSD version
3:45
13.2 demonstrates notable advancements in practical
3:50
functionality. Tesla Autopilot engineer
3:53
emphasized the system's comprehensive park to park
3:56
capabilities, allowing vehicles to complete entire journeys with
4:00
minimal driver input beyond initial destination selection.
4:04
Market analysts attribute Tesla's recent stock performance
4:07
partially to expectations of a more favorable regulatory
4:11
environment under the new Trump administration.
4:14
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggested that Trump's
4:18
presidency could expedite the implementation timeline for
4:22
autonomous driving technology, potentially advancing goals
4:25
originally set for 2026 or 2027. And the company's strategic
4:29
positioning includes aggressive sales initiatives, particularly
4:32
in the US market. Tesla recently introduced year
4:36
end discounts on Model Y vehicles as part of its effort
4:39
to achieve record-breaking quarterly deliveries with
4:41
analyst consensus projecting 498,000 vehicle deliveries in
4:45
quarter four. Now there's another tester out
4:48
there. FSD tester Chuck Cook documented
4:50
improved performance in challenging scenarios,
4:53
specifically noting enhanced navigation of unprotected left
4:57
turns and natural appearing U-turn maneuvers.
5:00
These objectives or observations suggest meaningful progress in
5:06
the system's ability to handle complex traffic situations.
5:09
Now, the software updates impact extends beyond really basic
5:13
driving capabilities. Whole Mars blog NX verify the
5:17
system's comprehensive automation, reporting successful
5:21
navigation without requiring steering wheel interaction
5:24
throughout the journey at all. This achievement marks a notable
5:27
step towards Tesla's goal of fully autonomous operations.
5:32
You know, Tesla stock maintains a leading position within the
5:35
auto manufacturers industry group, holding an 88 composite
5:39
rating in 95 relative strength rating.
5:42
These metrics reflect strong market performance relative to
5:45
industry peers and overall market conditions and the
5:49
technological advancement represented by FSD.
5:53
The new FSD addresses several previous limitations.
5:56
The elimination of steering wheel jitter and improved
5:59
parking lot navigation, including automated Supercharger
6:02
station positioning, shows that it's a refined control system
6:07
and also enhanced environmental awareness.
6:10
Market response to Tesla's latest FSD release occurs
6:14
against the backdrop of intensifying competition in the
6:17
autonomous vehicle sector. The company's stock
6:20
consolidation around 34 month highs suggests investors
6:24
confidence and technical progress and marketing
6:28
positioning for Tesla. And the integration of
6:31
autonomous charging capabilities with FSD 13.2 represents a huge
6:36
technical achievement. System's ability to navigate to
6:40
and properly aligned with Supercharger stations addresses
6:43
a crucial aspect of EV operation.
6:46
Current market projections anticipate continued growth in
6:49
Tesla's delivery numbers, with expectations of two Point O
6:53
6,000,000 vehicles in 2024. This forecast brings upon the
6:57
company's previously quarter rating record of 200 or 485,000
7:02
deliveries in quarter 4 of 2023 in.
7:05
The development of autonomous driving technology from Tesla
7:08
occurs within a very complex regulatory and political
7:12
landscape. The potential influence of the
7:14
future administration policies on implementation of timelines
7:18
adds another dimension to market considerations and development
7:22
strategies. This new release of FSD combines
7:25
technical advancement with market optimization, while
7:29
political factors and regulatory considerations shape the
7:33
company's autonomous driving future under the new
7:37
administration. Now let's switch some gears here
7:42
from Tesla all the way to this guy's with SpaceX and NASA.
7:48
And the future of NASA's most powerful rocket hangs in the
7:51
balance following Donald Trump's recent electoral victory.
7:55
The Space Launch System or the SLS, which is a cornerstone of
7:59
our return to the moon, faces potential cancellation,
8:02
according to space industry insiders.
8:05
So Eric Berger recently posted on X.
8:07
To be clear, we're far from anything being settled, but
8:10
based on what I'm hearing, it seems at least 5050 that NASA's
8:14
Space Launch System rocket will be cancelled.
8:17
If Eric Berger says it, you know, he has some inside
8:19
information. He's been in this game for a
8:21
very long time. And it cred some shed some
8:26
credibility on this potential of cancellation of the SLS.
8:30
So the SLS rocket, let's get into this a little bit.
8:33
The SLS rocket serves as the primary launch vehicle for
8:35
NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the
8:38
moon for the first time since the Apollo era ended in 1972.
8:43
Now, this massive rocket has demonstrated its capabilities
8:46
through successful testing, including the unmanned Artemis 1
8:50
mission in 2022. The complete Artemis 3 mission
8:53
would mark humanity's return to the Lerner surface, and the
8:57
current mission architecture for Artemis 3 involves a carefully
9:00
choreographed sequence of events. 4 astronauts will launch
9:04
aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is carried by the SLS
9:08
rocket into lunar orbit. Now.
9:11
Upon reaching lunar orbit, 2 crew members will transfer to
9:15
Spacex's Starship vehicle, which will have launched separately to
9:19
make the descent to the moon's surface, and after completing
9:22
their lunar exploration, these astronauts will return to orbit
9:26
in Starship, rejoin their colleagues in Orion, and make
9:30
the journey back to Earth. Now, technical challenges have
9:33
pushed the timeline for the first crude lunar landing to
9:37
autumn of 2026, considerably later than initially planned.
9:42
Various factors contribute to these delays, including
9:45
necessary redesigns of astronaut space suits, complications with
9:49
Orion's heat shield and life support systems, and ongoing
9:53
development issues with Starship Lunar Lander down at Boca Chica
9:58
Star Base, Texas. Additionally, the upgraded
10:01
mobile launch tower for the SLS has experienced both cost
10:04
overruns and scheduled delays. Now, NASA Space Corp program has
10:09
announced plans to send its own astronauts to the lunar surface
10:12
by 20-30, adding a competitive element to this timeline.
10:16
Chinese space missions typically maintain conservative scheduling
10:19
estimates, suggesting their projected timeline may be more
10:24
reliable than American estimates.
10:26
This development has created pressure on NASA to maintain a
10:29
schedule and technological edge in space exploration.
10:34
Now Elon Musk's role in the incoming administration as a
10:38
chief cost cutter tasked with finding up to $2 trillion in
10:43
U.S. Federal budget reductions.
10:45
As another layer of complexity to this situation, Musk's own
10:48
space company, which is SpaceX, has achieved recent success with
10:51
its Starship program, including an impressive demonstration
10:55
where the vehicles massive booster stage was recovered
10:59
using robotic arms. The chopsticks at their Texas
11:02
launch site at Starbase. Now let's get a little bit of
11:06
finances. The aspects of the SLS program
11:09
have drawn scrutiny from various quarters.
11:11
Each launch of the SLS carries an estimated price tag exceeding
11:15
$2 billion, while billions more have already been invested in
11:19
the raucous development in supporting infrastructure at
11:22
Kennedy Space Center. These costs stand in stark
11:24
contrast to Spacex's focus on reusable rocket technology,
11:28
which promises significantly lower launch costs.
11:32
We're not talking billions of dollars for an SLS, we're
11:35
talking millions of dollars now. The Starship vehicle presents an
11:39
intriguing alternative to the SLS, though, as it could
11:42
potentially serve both as a launch vehicle and the lunar
11:46
Lander. However, this option comes with
11:49
significant technical hurdles. Starship remains in its testing
11:53
phase right now must they must still demonstrate critical
11:56
capabilities such as in orbit refueling in uncrewed lunar
12:00
landings before it could be considered for crude missions.
12:04
Now, the Falcon Heavy, which is another SpaceX vehicle, has been
12:07
suggested as a possible launch platform for Orion.
12:11
This alternative would require substantial modifications to
12:13
both the rocket and the launch procedures, potentially
12:17
introducing new delays and technical challenges to the
12:19
Artemis program. But it wouldn't cost billions of
12:22
dollars to get this thing ready. These changes could impact both
12:25
positions of America and the Chinese Space Race.
12:30
Now. The Artemis program's goals
12:31
extend beyond simple lunar landings, though.
12:34
The program envisions establishing a permanent lunar
12:37
base where astronauts can conduct Advanced Research and
12:40
development technologies necessary for future space
12:43
exploration. The base would serve as a
12:46
proving ground for technologies and procedures needed for
12:49
eventual missions to Mars. Now, the Trump administration
12:53
has shown interest in prioritizing Mars exploration
12:57
over lunar missions, aligning with Musk's stated goal of
13:00
establishing a human presence on the Red Planet by 2028.
13:05
The shift in focus could significantly impact the future
13:08
of the SLS and the broader Artemis program.
13:11
The convergence of Trump's and Musk's Mars ambitions raises
13:14
questions about the long term direction of American space
13:17
policy. The original Artemis program,
13:20
established during President Trump's first administration in
13:23
2017, laid out a comprehensive plan for substantial lunar
13:28
exploration. The plan included not only
13:30
landing missions, but also the development of supporting
13:33
infrastructure and technologies necessary for long term lunar
13:37
presence. The current uncertainty
13:39
surrounding the SLS puts this broader vision at risk, and
13:42
NASA's assertion that the SLS is, quote, the only rocket that
13:46
can send Orion astronauts and cargo directly to the moon in a
13:49
single launch shows the rocket's unique capabilities.
13:54
The space agency has invested considerable resources in
13:57
developing this specialized vehicle designed specifically
14:00
for deep space missions. Cancelling the program could
14:04
necessitate significant redesigns of mission
14:06
architecture and supporting systems.
14:10
Now, the technical requirements for lunar missions demand
14:13
specific rocket designs and extensive planning for crew
14:16
safety and mission success. Landing sites, particularly in
14:20
the unexplored lunar South Pole region, present unique
14:24
challenges that the current mission architecture was
14:27
designed specifically to address.
14:30
Any alternative launch system could need to meet these same
14:33
stringent requirements, including the Falcon Heavy and
14:36
Starship. That the economic implications
14:39
of cancelling SLS program extend behind the billions of dollars
14:43
already invested in it. The program supports thousands
14:47
of jobs across multiple States and maintains crucial aerospace
14:51
engineering capabilities within the United States.
14:53
These factors could influence potential political support for
14:57
any proposed changes to the program, but NASA's willingness
15:01
to collaborate with commercial space companies demonstrates the
15:04
agency's adaptability and recognition of private sector
15:07
capabilities. However, the complexity of deep
15:09
space missions suggests that a hybrid approach combining
15:12
government and also commercial capabilities might prove more
15:16
effective than completely privatizing lunar exploration
15:20
efforts now. The decision about the SL s s
15:23
future carries implications for American leadership in space
15:27
exploration, international cooperation, and the development
15:31
of new space technologies. The incoming administration must
15:34
weigh various factors, including technical capabilities, economic
15:39
considerations, and geopolitical implications, before making any
15:43
final decisions about the program's future.
15:47
And the potential cancellation of the SLS is at a critical
15:51
juncture right now in American space exploration.
15:55
It's proven, it's already been around the moon and back, and
15:59
the Starship hasn't quite made it to orbit yet.
16:02
It's an emerging commercial alternative to the SLS, but it's
16:05
not quite there yet. There's also national security
16:08
interests and international competition in space to think
16:12
about. SpaceX has only launched a few
16:16
Starship rockets by this time and they haven't done a in orbit
16:22
refueling. They haven't gone to complete
16:24
orbit yet. They haven't launched a
16:26
satellite from this thing. It is not crew rated like the
16:29
Orion, and also it can't get to the moon in one shot.
16:34
It has to stay in orbit to refuel a bunch of times, about a
16:38
dozen to 20 times somewhere in that region before it actually
16:42
goes to the moon. So astronauts would have to
16:45
launch on probably a Falcon Heavy or even a Falcon 9 to get
16:49
to the Starship, and then the crew would transfer from that
16:55
capsule to the Starship and then fly all the way to the moon.
16:59
And they would completely dismantle the Orion program at
17:02
this point 'cause they wouldn't really need it other than
17:06
getting back to Earth. And it would completely destroy
17:12
that program. And thousands of people would
17:15
lose their jobs or be restructured into NASA's web
17:21
fabric of of people that work there.
17:23
So it's a very complex thing to think about.
17:28
If they go forward with canceling the SLS, it'll be
17:31
probably another six years before Starship is actually
17:35
ready to fly this whole mission and they have to reconfigure
17:37
Falcon Heavy. It's going to be a big deal.
17:48
Hey, thank you so much for listening today.
17:50
I really do appreciate your support.
17:52
If you could take a second and hit the subscribe or the follow
17:55
button on whatever podcast platform that you're listening
17:57
on right now, I greatly appreciate it.
17:59
It helps out the show tremendously and you'll never
18:02
miss an episode. And each episode is about 10
18:05
minutes or less to get you caught up quickly.
18:08
And please, if you want to support the show even more, go
18:11
to patreon.com/stagezero and please take care of yourselves
18:17
and each other and I'll see you tomorrow.