Tag Archives: Tesla

Cars, News

Tesla’s Dojo Supercomputer Begins Production To Train Autopilot Worthy Of Its Name

Tesla is stepping up its game with the production of its new supercomputer known as Dojo, designed specifically to train the Autopilot system. Currently, Tesla relies on a supercomputer equipped with Nvidia A100 GPUs, composed of 5,760 GPU units spread across 820 nodes. This powerful setup can deliver 1.8 Exa-FLOPS (floating point operations per second). However, the Dojo supercomputer is expected to surpass these specifications easily.

Unlike the current setup, Dojo doesn’t depend on outsourced cores. Instead, it utilizes a self-designed D1 chip, manufactured by TSMC using a 7nm fabrication process. This chip contains more than 300 computing cores, and multiple D1 chips are clustered to form tiles. Each System Tray is made up of six tiles, and one cabinet consists of a pair of System Trays. To create one ExaPOD, ten cabinets are combined.

During Tesla’s AI Day event last year, a detailed presentation on Dojo was provided, shedding light on its architecture. The primary goal of Dojo is to expedite the auto-labeling process, which plays a vital role in training the Autopilot model. By enhancing the speed of this process, Dojo enables the Autopilot system to better recognize real-world objects and understand various scenarios, ultimately leading to more accurate decision-making.

However, even during the early stages of testing, Dojo’s power was so overwhelming that it reportedly overloaded the local power grid. This demonstrates the high potential and impressive capabilities of Tesla’s new supercomputer.

News

Tesla Cybertruck finally enters production

Tesla has finally started production of its Cybertruck at its Gigafactory in Texas. This comes almost four years after the electric vehicle (EV) was first unveiled. The first production Cybertruck was revealed on Tesla’s social media channels, showcasing factory workers at the Texan headquarters. It is expected that Tesla will meet its revised target of delivering the pick-up to customers by the end of September, although this is a two-year delay from the original 2021 launch date.

The Cybertruck is a rival to Ford’s F-150 Lightning and is the same length as traditional competitors. However, it features a unique and distinctive design both inside and out. The EV has a radical wedge-shape design, no front grille, angular window frames, and bodywork with minimal curvature. The body of the Cybertruck is made of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel and is claimed to be bulletproof against 9mm bullets.

Customers will have three powertrain options to choose from, with one, two, or three electric motors. The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version has a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds and an estimated range of 250 miles. It can tow up to 3400kg and has a payload of 1360kg. The starting price for this variant is expected to be $39,900 (around £30,600) before any government incentives, according to Tesla’s launch details. All variants of the Cybertruck are said to be capable of charging at 1MW (1000kW), similar to the Tesla Semi.

The mid-range dual-motor variant offers all-wheel drive, a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds, and the ability to tow more than 4500kg. The starting price for this version is anticipated to be $49,900 (£38,300) before incentives. The top-of-the-line Cybertruck will feature Tesla’s latest tri-motor Plaid EV powertrain, which is also used in the Tesla Model S Plaid. Priced from $69,900 (£53,700), it boasts a claimed range of 500 miles, a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds, and the ability to complete a quarter-mile in just over 10 seconds. Additionally, it has a towing capacity of 6350kg, as confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Motorsport

Witness the Tesla Model S Plaid Reach Its 200 MPH Top Speed on the Autobahn

When it comes to production vehicles, very few can compare to the sheer power and speed of the Tesla Model S. Regardless of your stance on electric cars, it’s impossible to deny the jaw-dropping acceleration of this super sedan, with its 1,020-horsepower drivetrain propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in just two seconds and completing the quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds. The only compromise is typically seen in the top speed, as electric vehicles usually fall short compared to their combustion-powered counterparts.

However, there’s an exception to this rule. The Model S Plaid featured in an incredible recent video from AutoTopNL is certainly capable of reaching 200 mph. While the standard version of the Model S Plaid has a limited top speed of 166 mph, we have previously witnessed another Model S Plaid reach this speed in just 14 seconds. However, the Model S Plaid in this video has no such restrictions. Equipped with a track package and a full-size steering wheel, it was pushed to its limits by a skilled driver on a deserted stretch of the German Autobahn.

And the limit in this case? 328 kph, which is exactly equivalent to 203.8 mph. The highway was quiet enough for a full-throttle acceleration from a standing start, allowing us to witness not only the impressive final top speed but also the mind-blowing acceleration of the Model S Plaid. The video shows the car reaching 100 kph (62 mph) in just 2.56 seconds, followed by 200 kph (124 mph) in a mere 6.82 seconds. The official timer reveals a quarter-mile time of 9.62 seconds and a half-mile time of 15.03 seconds. The Model S Plaid covers a mile in 24.22 seconds, although the driver had already started decelerating by that point.

Unfortunately, the video does not include the time it takes for the car to reach its maximum speed from a standstill. However, based on the time stamps, it can be estimated that the sprint takes approximately 22.5 seconds, which aligns with the one-mile time as the driver starts to slow down at the mile-mark. All of this impressive performance is achieved in an eerily silent manner.

The video also features the Model S Plaid taking some laps at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, showcasing its prowess on the race track. While there’s no doubt about its formidable straight-line speed, the track package undoubtedly enhances its performance in the corners as well. Tesla recently reclaimed the Nurburgring lap record for a production electric vehicle, completing the Nordschleife circuit in an impressive 7 minutes and 25.23 seconds.

Cars, News

Washington May Require Tesla’s EV Charger

Tesla’s NACS charger has gained recognition for its superior charging capabilities compared to the CCS connector. This is not just Tesla boasting about its product, but rather a genuine advantage. One commendable feature of Tesla’s charging network is its extensive coverage and seamless integration with its vehicles. In contrast, other charging stations can be troublesome and cumbersome to use. Tesla has even made the design specifications for NACS chargers available for free, encouraging wider adoption of this efficient technology.

The current state of charging infrastructure is inconsistent and inconvenient for EV owners who simply want a quick charge. Implementing a standardized requirement at the state level could greatly improve the situation and transform the public charging landscape from its current chaotic state.

Featured

Elon Musk Confirms Tesla India Debut After Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi


The Model 3 and Model Y could be Tesla’s debut cars in India

Elon Musk Narendra Modi

BIG NEWS! Tesla India launch has just been confirmed by the brand’s boss, Elon Musk. The Twitter CEO met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to the US, where they talked about several issues ranging from energy to spirituality.

In a public interview, Elon Musk said, “It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our factory a few years ago. So, we have known each other for a while.”

“I am incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world,” he added.

Also Read: The Bigger, The Better? These 10 Cars Have The Biggest Displays In The World

When is Tesla coming, then?

Tesla Model Y

Musk also said that Tesla will be in India as soon as humanly possible. The Prime Minister has invited the Tesla founder to explore significant investment opportunities in India. This further strengthens the reports that Tesla is planning to set up a factory in India and sell locally produced EVs. This will ensure lower prices of the still premium EVs.

Tesla talks so far

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla-India talks have seen several ups and downs over the years. The electric carmaker even registered its office in Bengaluru and we spotted several test mules of the Model 3 too. However, high import taxes were the main hurdle which made Tesla sceptical about its India move. The American carmaker’s request for lower tariffs on pure EVs was shot down and the company was uncertain about making manufacturing investments without being able to test the market with its products first.

Also Read: India’s Lithium Reserves Have Just Gotten Bigger

The carmaker currently has the Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S on sale globally. India might get the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover at first. The Cybertruck will be globally launched sometime in 2024, while the carmaker is also readying up a new entry-level EV.

Technology

5 Of The Best Tesla Powerwall Features

The Tesla Powerwall offers attractive pricing, warranties, and maintenance costs to make it appealing to customers seeking reliable and efficient energy storage solutions. The cost of installing a Tesla Powerwall varies depending on factors like the number of Powerwalls needed, installation complexity, and regional considerations.

The estimated price range for a Powerwall is between $9,200 and $14,200 (location dependent), excluding any incentives. While the upfront cost may seem high, customers can justify the expense by considering the long-term benefits of backup power and potential cost savings through solar generation.

Buyers also get an impressive warranty, including a 10-year battery lifetime, free replacements and repairs, an unlimited cycle warranty, and 24/7 support. The Tesla Powerwall warranty ensures that their investment is protected and provides reassurance regarding the longevity of the Powerwall.

The Powerwall has minimal ongoing maintenance expenses as well, reducing long-term ownership costs. The low maintenance requirements make the Powerwall a convenient and hassle-free solution for homeowners and businesses alike. If the price is still too steep, there are Tesla Powerwall alternatives worth considering as well.

Featured

Tesla to Exhibit at 2023 Shenzhen Auto Show, Possible Debut of Updated Model 3

Tesla will once again participate in a Chinese auto show following the eventful start of the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. The prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer will attend the 2023 Shenzhen Auto Show on June 16, with rumors suggesting that the highly anticipated refreshed Model 3 might take center stage.

In recent times, auto shows have lost some of their allure among carmakers, and the global pandemic has delivered a significant blow to what was once a prime occasion for introducing new… (continue reading…)