News
Tesla pushes early Model X Refresh orders back to July 2022
Tesla Model X Refresh orders that were placed in late 2020 and 2021 are being pushed back to July 2022. Several Tesla customers that ordered the Model X’s new design prior to initial deliveries had their delivery dates pushed back this morning, solidifying CEO Elon Musk’s synopsis that Tesla “dropped the ball” on the all-electric SUV’s manufacturing ramp.
Earlier this week, we reported that Musk was extremely critical of Tesla’s ramp of the Model X Refresh, stating that the company should have handled the task in a different manner. The Tesla CEO said it was a regrettable decision to shelf Model X production altogether because demand was still healthy for the vehicle. Tesla planned to revamp the design of the Model X, along with the Model S, the company’s two flagship vehicles. Production of the two cars halted in late 2020, with Tesla announcing the new body styles in early 2021.
The Model S made its first deliveries last June, while the Model X made its way to customers for the first time in October. Deliveries did not last long, however, as many owners indicated that their projected delivery dates had been pushed back to late 2021 or early 2022.
Now, several Model X orderers are communicating that Tesla pushed back their delivery dates to July 2022. Each of these orders took place between December 2020 to June 2021.
This is unreal. Our 5th Model X delay has now pushed our delivery date into July! Ordered June 2021. Has this happened to anyone else?
Original delivery dates:Dec 2021
Jan/Feb 2022
March 2022
April 2022
Now July 2022 pic.twitter.com/710dXGt5X1— It’s Kim Java (@ItsKimJava) February 16, 2022
WOW @tesla! February 2021 Model X order is now estimated for delivery in July 2022!! ? What is happening with these trim pieces. pic.twitter.com/3PGfuYHPek
— Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesla) February 16, 2022
This makes me want to ?. Ordered in December of 2020. pic.twitter.com/jf95oAAV1g
— Erik in DÆrik (@teslainventory) February 16, 2022
Waiting on a Long Range Model X? Looks like you’re going to have to wait a little longer.
Our order was just pushed from March 2022 to July 2022 like @teslainventory. For reference, we ordered in May of 2021 ?#TeslaDeliveryEstimate https://t.co/ZS0KfeKsCn pic.twitter.com/gZUJ0NHCrn— The Kilowatts ?⚡️ (@klwtts) February 16, 2022
Musk said earlier in February that Tesla’s main limiting factor for the Model X is interior trim availability. Tesla decided recently to scrap some Model X Plaid interior seating options, limiting this configuration’s possible layout to the six-seat selection only. Sources told us that the main factor for this decision was Plaid orders seem to have the six-seat selection most often, so Tesla is streamlining the manufacturing process to pick up the pace on deliveries.
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.
News
Tesla Cybercab display highlights interior wizardry in the small two-seater
Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.
The Tesla Cybercab is currently on display at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., and observations of the production vehicle are highlighting some of its notable design details.
Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.
Observers of the Cybercab display unit noted that the two-seat Robotaxi provides unusually generous legroom for a vehicle of its size. Based on the vehicle’s video, the compact two-seater appears to offer more legroom than Tesla’s larger vehicles such as the Model Y, Model X, and Cybertruck.
The Cybercab’s layout allows Tesla to dedicate nearly the entire cabin to passengers. The vehicle is designed without a steering wheel or pedals, which helps maximize interior space.
Footage from the display also highlights the Cybercab’s large center screen, which is positioned prominently in front of the passenger bench. The display appears intended to provide entertainment and ride information while the vehicle operates autonomously.
Images of the vehicle also show an additional camera integrated into the Cybercab’s C-pillar. The extra camera appears to expand the vehicle’s field of view, which would be useful as Tesla works toward fully unsupervised Full Self-Driving.
Tesla engineers have previously explained that the Cybercab was designed to be highly efficient both in manufacturing and in operation. Cybercab Lead Engineer Eric E. stated in 2024 that the Robotaxi would be built with roughly half the number of parts used in a Model 3 sedan.
“Two seats unlocks a lot of opportunity aerodynamically. It also means we cut the part count of Cybercab down by a substantial margin. We’re gonna be delivering a car that has roughly half the parts of Model 3 today,” the Tesla engineer said.
The Tesla engineer also noted that the Cybercab’s cargo area can accommodate multiple golf bags, two carry-on suitcases, and two full-size checked bags. The trunk can also fit certain bicycles and a foldable wheelchair depending on size, which is quite impressive for a small car like the Cybercab.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s xAI wins permit for power plant supporting AI data centers
The development was reported by CNBC, citing confirmation from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
Mississippi regulators have approved a permit allowing Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI to construct a natural gas power plant in Southaven. The facility is expected to support the company’s expanding AI infrastructure tied to its Colossus data center operations near Memphis.
The development was reported by CNBC, citing confirmation from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
According to the report, regulators “voted to approve the permit” of xAI subsidiary MZX Tech LLC to construct a power plant featuring 41 natural gas-burning turbines “after careful consideration of all public comments and community concerns.”
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality stated that the permit followed a regulatory review process that included public comments and community input. Jaricus Whitlock, air division chief for the MDEQ, stated that the project met all applicable environmental standards.
“The proposed PSD permit in front of the board today not only meets all state and federal permitting regulations, but goes above and beyond what is required by law. MDEQ and the EPA agree that not a single person around our facilities will be exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution,” Whitlock stated.
The planned facility will help provide electricity for xAI’s AI computing infrastructure in the Memphis region.
The Southaven project forms part of xAI’s efforts to scale computing capacity for its artificial intelligence systems.
The company currently operates two major data centers in Memphis, known as Colossus 1 and Colossus 2, which provide computing power for xAI’s Grok AI models. xAI is also planning to build another large data center in Southaven called Macrohardrr, which would be located in a warehouse previously used by GXO Logistics.
Large-scale AI training requires substantial computing power and electricity, prompting technology companies to develop dedicated energy infrastructure for their data centers.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell previously stated that xAI plans to develop 1.2 gigawatts of power capacity for its Memphis-area AI supercomputer site as part of the federal government’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge. The commitment was announced during an event with United States President Donald Trump.
“As part of today’s commitment, we will take extensive additional steps to continue to reduce the costs of electricity for our neighbors. xAI will therefore commit to develop 1.2 GW of power as our supercomputer’s primary power source. That will be for every additional data center as well. We will expand what is already the largest global Megapack power installation in the world,” Shotwell said.
“The installation will provide enough backup power to power the city of Memphis, and more than sufficient energy to power the town of Southaven, Mississippi where the data center resides. We will build new substations and invest in electrical infrastructure to provide stability to the area’s grid.”
Elon Musk
Tesla China teases Optimus robot’s human-looking next-gen hands
The image was shared by Tesla AI’s account on Weibo and later reposted by Tesla community members on X.
A new teaser shared by Tesla’s China team appears to show a pair of unusually human-like hands for Optimus.
The image was shared by Tesla AI’s account on Weibo and later reposted by Tesla community members on X.
As could be seen in the teaser image, the new version of Optimus’ hands features proportions and finger structures that look strikingly similar to those of a human hand. Their appearance suggests that they might have dexterity approaching that of a human hand.
If the image reflects a new generation of Optimus’ hands, it could indicate Tesla is continuing to refine one of the most critical components of its humanoid robot.
Hands are widely viewed as one of the most difficult engineering challenges in robotics. For Optimus to perform complex real-world work, from manufacturing tasks to household activities, its hands would need to be the best in the industry.
Elon Musk has repeatedly described Optimus as Tesla’s most important long-term product. In posts on social media platform X, Musk has stated that Optimus could eventually become the first real-world Von Neumann machine.
In theory, a Von Neumann machine is a self-replicating system capable of building copies of itself using available materials. The concept was originally proposed by mathematician John von Neumann in the mid-20th century.
“Optimus will be the first Von Neumann machine, capable of building civilization by itself on any viable planet,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
If Optimus is expected to carry out complex work autonomously in the future, high levels of dexterity will likely be essential. This makes the development of advanced robotic hands a key step towards Musk’s long-term expectations for the product.