Tesla Battery Day was anything but a flop. But somehow, numerous mainstream media outlets are claiming that Tesla’s blueprint to cheaper battery production and vehicles was underwhelming. If Battery Day was a flop to you, it is probably because you don’t understand the massive implications of what was announced.
To the casual Tesla fan who isn’t interested in how the company will increase manufacturing efficiency, but is interested in maximized performance specifications, sure, maybe it was a flop. But still, that seems like a reach because of the announcement of Tesla’s Plaid Model S, which will be the fastest variant of the company’s flagship sedan. To the people who live, breathe, eat, and sleep Tesla and its mission, the batteries and cell developments were the centerpiece, and what CEO Elon Musk announced was anything but “underwhelming.”
Tesla’s new 4680 battery cell will increase energy density by fivefold while increasing power by six-times and effectively maximizing range ratings for its upcoming vehicles. Not only that, but the tabless design is also going to increase manufacturing efficiency and decrease the cost of the batteries per kWh. Reducing this is the ultimate key to making EVs the same price as gas-powered cars.
Making cells more affordable to produce will bring the cost of Tesla’s vehicles down significantly. (Credit: Tesla)
The primary issue with these large media outlets claiming the event was a flop is that readers get information that is far from the truth. The importance of what Tesla announced on Tuesday is easily the most significant breakthrough in not only the company’s long-term plans but also the plans to accelerate the adoption of sustainable transportation.
Think about this: Tesla is already the leader in EVs. Not only is that the overall consensus of EV enthusiasts as a whole, but it also is the opinion of the companies that are trying to compete with Tesla. Volkswagen has stated that Tesla’s ten-year lead is a real issue for their push to sustainability, simply because they are so far behind on figuring out software and battery manufacturing.
But the fact that Tesla is the best electric car company in the sector and will have the most affordable vehicles is a mind-blowing development. Could one imagine if Gucci was less expensive than Abercrombie? The quality and prestige of Tesla are comparable to this analogy. Higher quality and a better product, but with a less expensive price tag.
Ultimately, Tesla showed its entire plans to not only decrease the cost of its cars through battery production but also through design. The blueprint that Musk and Drew Baglino showed to the public proved that the company has a plan to make its cars more affordable while increasing safety. The design and architecture of the new battery pack showed this development.
Understanding the massive developments of Battery Day is not something that a casual fan will really understand. New battery? Big deal. Cheaper costs? They all say that. A new car? Who cares!
The problem is that everything Tesla announced the other day is a big step in the right direction for EVs as a whole, and not just for Tesla. Widespread EV adoption is one way that sustainability can be embraced, which will ultimately help the Earth’s climate in the long-term.
If Battery Day didn’t impress you, it’s okay. But the fact is, you just don’t get it. Nothing about the event was a minor development, nor was it a flop. Tesla has a plan, and it is already in effect with the automaker producing the cells at a pilot facility in Fremont.
Before claiming that the event was underwhelming, understand how significant what was announced is for the future.
Elon Musk
USDOT Secretary visits Tesla Giga Texas, hints at national autonomous vehicle standards
The Transportation Secretary also toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk.

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently visited Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas complex, where he toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk. In a video posted following his Giga Texas visit, Duffy noted that he believes there should be a national standard for autonomous vehicles in the United States.
Duffy’s Giga Texas Visit
As could be seen in videos of his Giga Texas visit, the Transportation Secretary seemed to appreciate the work Tesla has been doing to put the United States in the forefront of innovation. “Tesla is one of the many companies helping our country reach new heights. USDOT will be right there all the way to make sure Americans stay safe,” Duffy wrote in a post on X.
He also praised Tesla for its autonomous vehicle program, highlighting that “We need American companies to keep innovating so we can outcompete the rest of the world.”
National Standard
While speaking with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Transportation Secretary stated that other autonomous ride-hailing companies have been lobbying for a national standard for self-driving cars. Musk shared the sentiment, stating that “It’d be wonderful for the United States to have a national set of rules for autonomous driving as opposed to 50 independent sets of rules on a state-by-state rules basis.”
Duffy agreed with the CEO’s point, stating that, “You can’t have 50 different rules for 50 different states. You need one standard.” He also noted that the Transportation Department has asked autonomous vehicle companies to submit data. By doing so, the USDOT could develop a standard for the entire United States, allowing self-driving cars to operate in a manner that is natural and safe.
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Tesla posts Optimus’ most impressive video demonstration yet
The humanoid robot was able to complete all the tasks through a single neural network.

When Elon Musk spoke with CNBC’s David Faber in an interview at Giga Texas, he reiterated the idea that Optimus will be one of Tesla’s biggest products. Seemingly to highlight the CEO’s point, the official Tesla Optimus account on social media platform X shared what could very well be the most impressive demonstration of the humanoid robot’s capabilities to date.
Optimus’ Newest Demonstration
In its recent video demonstration, the Tesla Optimus team featured the humanoid robot performing a variety of tasks. These include household chores such as throwing the trash, using a broom and a vacuum cleaner, tearing a paper towel, stirring a pot of food, opening a cabinet, and closing a curtain, among others. The video also featured Optimus picking up a Model X fore link and placing it on a dolly.
What was most notable in the Tesla Optimus team’s demonstration was the fact that the humanoid robot was able to complete all the tasks through a single neural network. The robot’s actions were also learned directly from Optimus being fed data from first-person videos of humans performing similar tasks. This system should pave the way for Optimus to learn and refine new skills quickly and reliably.
Tesla VP for Optimus Shares Insight
In a follow-up post on X, Tesla Vice President of Optimus (Tesla Bot) Milan Kovac stated that one of the team’s goals is to have Optimus learn straight from internet videos of humans performing tasks, including footage captured in third person or by random cameras.
“We recently had a significant breakthrough along that journey, and can now transfer a big chunk of the learning directly from human videos to the bots (1st person views for now). This allows us to bootstrap new tasks much faster compared to teleoperated bot data alone (heavier operationally).
“Many new skills are emerging through this process, are called for via natural language (voice/text), and are run by a single neural network on the bot (multi-tasking). Next: expand to 3rd person video transfer (aka random internet), and push reliability via self-play (RL) in the real-, and/or synthetic- (sim / world models) world,” Kovac wrote in his post on X.
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Starship Flight 9 nears as SpaceX’s Starbase becomes a Texan City
SpaceX’s launch site is officially incorporated as Starbase, TX. Starship Flight 9 could launch on May 27, 2025.

SpaceX’s Starbase is officially incorporated as a city in Texas, aligning with preparations for Starship Flight 9. The newly formed city in Cameron County serves as the heart of SpaceX’s Starship program.
Starbase City spans 1.5 square miles, encompassing SpaceX’s launch facility and company-owned land. A near-unanimous vote by residents, who were mostly SpaceX employees, led to its incorporation. SpaceX’s Vice President of Test and Launch, Bobby Peden, was elected mayor of Starbase. The new Texas city also has two SpaceX employees as commissioners. All Starbase officials will serve two-year terms unless extended to four by voters.
As the new city takes shape, SpaceX is preparing for the Starship Flight 9 launch, which is tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM CDT from Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for up to 25 annual Starship and Super Heavy launches from the site. However, the FAA emphasized that “there are other licensing requirements still to be completed,” including policy, safety, and environmental reviews.
On May 15, the FAA noted SpaceX updated its launch license for Flight 9, but added: “SpaceX may not launch until the FAA either closes the Starship Flight 8 mishap investigation or makes a return to flight determination. The FAA is reviewing the mishap report SpaceX submitted on May 14.”
Proposed Texas legislation could empower Starbase officials to close local highways and restrict Boca Chica Beach access during launches. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., opposes the Texas legislation, insisting beach access remain under county control. This tension highlights the balance between SpaceX’s ambitions and local interests.
Starbase’s incorporation strengthens SpaceX’s operational base as it gears up for Starship Flight 9, a critical step in its mission to revolutionize space travel. With growing infrastructure and regulatory hurdles in focus, Starbase is poised to become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s vision, blending community development with cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
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