66 Kuka robots have reportedly arrived at Giga Texas
New York Times
For those who are on the reserve list for Tesla’s Cybertruck, you may want to start collecting your money for payment. If you’re looking for a sign, we have three of them. First, a leaked photo of a Cybertruck in production; second, the Giga press arrived; third, proof that a significant shipment of industrial robots was delivered to Tesla’s Texas factory.
According to Twitter user @greggertruck, 66 production line robots arrived in Houston one week before Christmas. The post is complete with pictures of the bill of lading showing the shipment originated at Kuka Deutschland, destined for the Tesla Gigafactory in Texas.
Kuka, headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, is a global leader in supplying intelligent automated solutions. The company’s robots are used on Tesla production lines around the world.
Excitement is ramping up over the highly anticipated vehicle. During the third quarter earnings call, Elon Musk told investors, “We’re in the final lap for Cybertruck,” and said production would start in mid-2023. Indeed, there could be some doubters considering when Tesla first unveiled the futuristic-looking vehicle in 2019, it was to be on the road in 2021. After several delays, here we are, piecing together bills of lading and leaked photos to confirm that one of the coolest-looking trucks ever to be produced is closer to reality.
If these three clues weren’t enough, Tesla’s careers board is filling up with Cybertruck related job-titles. There are currently 15 jobs open at the Austin, Texas location, including the word: Cybertruck. Robotics Engineer, Dimensional Engineer, Manufacturing Operation Leader, Process Engineer and the list goes on. Although, if you’ve been following Musk’s takeover of Twitter, you know he doesn’t hire people to sit around. The company plans to fill these positions and start producing soon.
Cybertruck is the most significant news circulating Tesla these days, other than the substantial reduction in the stock price. The leaked photo appeared on Kim Java’s YouTube channel earlier this month. The most prominent spoiler, it seems the rumored midgate behind the back seats is not part of the design that will be in production. Java also said there were 4680 battery cell production issues, and the company is struggling to scale up.
There was also a lot of excitement about a possible smaller Cybertruck after a sketch appeared at the Peterson Museum of a two-door version. However, that doesn’t seem to be in the works. Tesla representatives have said the vehicle being worked on is only slightly smaller than the one originally on the stage in 2019.
66 Kuka robots have reportedly arrived at Giga Texas
@greggertruck
The $100 reserve tickets people have been holding on to for years may soon be exchanged for a vehicle, of course, after the buyer pays the additional undetermined amount to own the Cybertruck.
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One of Tesla’s greatest weaknesses, as it has quickly become one of the world’s most ubiquitous cars on the planet has always been service. Escalating issues to managers and sometimes even reaching a Tesla Service employee can be a total coin flip, depending on your Service Center.
Tesla is continuing its push to integrate AI across its customer support channels in an effort to improve customer service. According to Raj Jegannathan, Tesla’s VP for IT, AI Infrastructure, Apps, Infosecurity, and Vehicle Service Operations (that’s a lot), Tesla is launching a pilot program for a new AI designed to improve customer interactions with Service.
Tesla Service’s new AI Agent detects comms delays, monitors sentiment, & auto-escalates to leaders. Starts tomorrow at 10 pilot locations. In 2 weeks, type “Escalate” in ‘message center’ to reach managers. Guardrails in place to prevent abuse. We’ll keep improving!
At 10 pilot service locations, this new AI agent will begin working behind the scenes at Tesla Service, to help with customer communications. It will provide three key features:
Detect Communications Delays: The AI will actively monitor service interactions to identify potential delays in communication or progress. These are often a key pain point for customers who reach out to Tesla Service and don’t receive a response for several days, as Service has nothing new to add. The AI can now step in and let the customer know Tesla is still waiting on parts or something else.
Monitor Customer Sentiment: By monitoring the tone and content of the messages between the customer and Service agents, Tesla will be able to identify situations where a customer might be dissatisfied or facing difficulties.
Auto-Escalate: If either a communications delay or negative sentiment is detected, the AI can automatically escalate issues to human managers for review. This helps to address problems before customers need to seek escalation themselves or become upset about an issue.
Customer Escalation Requests
Alongside the new AI tool, Tesla is also introducing a more direct way for customers to get higher-level attention. According to Tesla, within the next two weeks, customers can simply type “Escalate” in order to have their issue routed directly to management.
Raj’s team is currently working on implementing guardrails to prevent abuse, but this will soon make its way to improving Tesla’s service offerings. We’re glad to see Tesla taking steps to identify and correct deficiencies in the process - it has always been a sore tooth for Tesla in the last few years.
Over at 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Tesla’s stainless steel-clad retro diner is really coming together. Most recently, we saw the gigantic 45-foot LED screens for the outdoor theater come to life, but there’s been more going on inside than we originally knew about.
Now, thanks to photos shared with us by Thomas Adamian, who ventured over to the site, we have our very first look inside the nearly completed Tesla Diner.
While we knew the concept aimed for a retro-futuristic theme, blending a diner with Superchargers and a modern open-air theater, the initial stages of the interior are well beyond a mere nostalgia project.
Interior Explored
Inside, we’ve got a seamless blend of classic circular diner-style seating accompanied by distinctly modern lighting and fixtures. This definitely brings to life that modernist art-deco feel and feels right at home alongside Tesla’s Robovan, rather than a period set-piece.
The facility is still clearly under active construction in these images, with materials and equipment visible, but they provide the best and most detailed glimpse so far of what the indoor dining experience will look like.
Front Door / Diner Logo
The circular spaceship-like entrance
Thomas Adamian
The circular entrance looks like something out of this world - and while we’re hoping the doors slide inside the walls, like a pocket door, they likely open in or out like a standard door.
This is also one of our first looks at the Tesla Diner sign, which hangs inside the doorway. The logo itself also has an art-deco look and feel. On the door, there’s also a sign confirming that the diner will be open 24/7.
Windows & Artwork
Shutters, Stealth Fighters, and Cybertrucks
Thomas Adamian
Tesla really nailed the style with the windows and shutters, matching the diner’s vibe. In the background, you can also see the concept art for the Cybertruck. We hope Tesla includes artwork for other vehicles as well, as they help tell the Tesla story and give diners an inside look at the company.
There’s also an exterior seating space, which seems to be in the early phases of being laid out. None of those pallets have been disassembled yet, but they likely have outdoor furniture, letting customers sit outside and enjoy a meal.
The Tesla Diner in Hollywood is shaping up to be much more than just a restaurant with chargers. It’ll have in-app functionality with the Tesla app and offer room for 200 diners inside, along with the ability to use a drive-in theater with in-car service. Tesla’s original plans also include rooftop seating, so there’s likely more to come once the construction phase continues.
The idea for a Tesla Diner began in 2023, when it was announced at Tesla’s Investor Day. While the diner has yet to open, it already seems like it’ll be an iconic establishment for the area. Amid recent brand turbulence tied to politics, this project has the potential to refresh Tesla’s image—offering a fun, memorable place to charge.
If there’s one thing we’re hoping for, it’s that the food matches the creativity of the design. Ideally, what Tesla is building in Hollywood becomes a blueprint for similar diners across North America—and eventually, the world.
With its unique concept and prime location, the Diner is poised to become a true LA landmark and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
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