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Tesla Model Y will awaken Elon Musk’s ‘Alien Dreadnaught’ factory
Elon Musk’s “Alien Dreadnought” factory could see a second coming when Tesla Model Y is ready for production ramp, thanks to recent advancements in computer vision.
Before Tesla started the Model 3 ramp, Elon Musk described his vision for a hyper-automated factory that he described as “the machine that builds the machine.” Addressing investors, Musk revealed that the project’s code name was the “Alien Dreadnought,” a reference to the futuristic spacecraft usually utilized by extraterrestrials in sci-fi movies. Musk planned to use the Alien Dreadnought for the Model 3 ramp, and he expected the automated factory to be operational by 2018.
This timeline proved to be too optimistic, with the Tesla CEO later admitting that he had been far too enthusiastic with the Model 3 production line’s automation. “Humans are underrated,” Musk admitted in an interview with CBS. Ultimately, it was a combination of traditional human work and non-Alien-Dreadnought type of automation that became a breakthrough for the Model 3 ramp. Tesla has since gotten the hang of Model 3 production, with the company producing enough vehicles for the US, as well as Europe and China (at least for selected regions) today.
According to Ryan Kottenstette, who serves as the CEO of Cape Analytics, a group that conducts computer vision research, the challenges Tesla faced with the Model 3 ramp were caused by the limitations of robotic vision. Kottenstette notes that the robots Tesla utilized in the Model 3 line simply could not deal with unexpected events in the production process, such as different orientations of nuts and bolts, or complicated maneuvering between the car frame.
Musk mentioned one of these challenges in the Q1 2018 earnings call when he described a machine he fondly called “Flufferbot,” which had a lot of difficulties scooping out fiberglass mats (or “fluff” as Musk described it) for the Model 3 battery pack. Musk stated that Flufferbot eventually lost its job because it became evident that scooping out “fluff” is far easier when done with human hands.
Kottenstette argues that computer vision has progressed significantly in recent years, with approaches such as GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) and unsupervised learning expanding the envelope of computer vision in terms of applications, robustness, and reliability. These advancements can help address some of the challenges faced by Tesla during the days of the Model 3 ramp. Coupled with Tesla’s proficiency in tech, and augmented by the company’s robust AI team, these new computer vision approaches can be leveraged to allow another attempt at Elon Musk’s “Alien Dreadnought” factory.
An opportunity is actually preseting itself for Tesla, as the company is scheduled to unveil the Model Y SUV next week. Just like the Model 3, the Model Y is a high-volume, mass-market vehicle, with Elon Musk expecting demand for the vehicle to go as high as 1 million units per year. Unlike the Model S, X, and Model 3, Tesla is set to start the initial production of the Model Y at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada, which means that the company can design and set up the SUV’s production lines from a blank slate. Thanks to the Model Y, Elon Musk’s “Alien Dreadnought” factory might end up being closer than we think.
Investor's Corner
SpaceX IPO is coming, CEO Elon Musk confirms
However, it appears Musk is ready for SpaceX to go public, as Ars Technica Senior Space Editor Eric Berger wrote an op-ed that indicated he thought SpaceX would go public soon. Musk replied, basically confirming it.
Elon Musk confirmed through a post on X that a SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) is on the way after hinting at it several times earlier this year.
It also comes one day after Bloomberg reported that SpaceX was aiming for a valuation of $1.5 trillion, adding that it wanted to raise $30 billion.
Musk has been transparent for most of the year that he wanted to try to figure out a way to get Tesla shareholders to invest in SpaceX, giving them access to the stock.
He has also recognized the issues of having a public stock, like litigation exposure, quarterly reporting pressures, and other inconveniences.
However, it appears Musk is ready for SpaceX to go public, as Ars Technica Senior Space Editor Eric Berger wrote an op-ed that indicated he thought SpaceX would go public soon.
Musk replied, basically confirming it:
As usual, Eric is accurate
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2025
Berger believes the IPO would help support the need for $30 billion or more in capital needed to fund AI integration projects, such as space-based data centers and lunar satellite factories. Musk confirmed recently that SpaceX “will be doing” data centers in orbit.
AI appears to be a “key part” of SpaceX getting to Musk, Berger also wrote. When writing about whether or not Optimus is a viable project and product for the company, he says that none of that matters. Musk thinks it is, and that’s all that matters.
It seems like Musk has certainly mulled something this big for a very long time, and the idea of taking SpaceX public is not just likely; it is necessary for the company to get to Mars.
The details of when SpaceX will finally hit that public status are not known. Many of the reports that came out over the past few days indicate it would happen in 2026, so sooner rather than later.
But there are a lot of things on Musk’s plate early next year, especially with Cybercab production, the potential launch of Unsupervised Full Self-Driving, and the Roadster unveiling, all planned for Q1.
Tesla has added the 15th automaker to the growing list of companies whose EVs can utilize the Supercharger Network this year, as BMW is the latest company to gain access to the largest charging infrastructure in the world.
BMW became the 15th company in 2025 to gain Tesla Supercharger access, after the company confirmed to its EV owners that they could use any of the more than 25,000 Supercharging stalls in North America.
Welcome @BMW owners.
Download the Tesla app to charge → https://t.co/vnu0NHA7Ab
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) December 10, 2025
Newer BMW all-electric cars, like the i4, i5, i7, and iX, are able to utilize Tesla’s V3 and V4 Superchargers. These are the exact model years, via the BMW Blog:
- i4: 2022-2026 model years
- i5: 2024-2025 model years
- 2026 i5 (eDrive40 and xDrive40) after software update in Spring 2026
- i7: 2023-2026 model years
- iX: 2022-2025 model years
- 2026 iX (all versions) after software update in Spring 2026
With the expansion of the companies that gained access in 2025 to the Tesla Supercharger Network, a vast majority of non-Tesla EVs are able to use the charging stalls to gain range in their cars.
So far in 2025, Tesla has enabled Supercharger access to:
- Audi
- BMW
- Genesis
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Kia
- Lucid
- Mercedes-Benz
- Nissan
- Polestar
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Drivers with BMW EVs who wish to charge at Tesla Superchargers must use an NACS-to-CCS1 adapter. In Q2 2026, BMW plans to release its official adapter, but there are third-party options available in the meantime.
They will also have to use the Tesla App to enable Supercharging access to determine rates and availability. It is a relatively seamless process.
News
Tesla adds new feature that will be great for crowded parking situations
This is the most recent iteration of the app and was priming owners for the slowly-released Holiday Update.
Tesla has added a new feature that will be great for crowded parking lots, congested parking garages, or other confusing times when you cannot seem to pinpoint where your car went.
Tesla has added a new Vehicle Locator feature to the Tesla App with App Update v4.51.5.
This is the most recent iteration of the app and was priming owners for the slowly-released Holiday Update.
While there are several new features, which we will reveal later in this article, perhaps one of the coolest is that of the Vehicle Locator, which will now point you in the direction of your car using a directional arrow on the home screen. This is similar to what Apple uses to find devices:
Interesting. The location arrow in the Tesla app now points to your car when you’re nearby. pic.twitter.com/b0yjmwwzxN
— Whole Mars Catalog (@wholemars) December 7, 2025
In real time, the arrow gives an accurate depiction of which direction you should walk in to find your car. This seems extremely helpful in large parking lots or unfamiliar shopping centers.
Getting to your car after a sporting event is an event all in itself; this feature will undoubtedly help with it:
The nice little touch that Tesla have put in the app – continuous tracking of your vehicle location relative to you.
There’s people reporting dizziness testing this.
To those I say… try spinning your phone instead. 😉 pic.twitter.com/BAYmJ3mzzD
— Some UK Tesla Guy (UnSupervised…) (@SomeUKTeslaGuy) December 8, 2025
Tesla’s previous app versions revealed the address at which you could locate your car, which was great if you parked on the street in a city setting. It was also possible to use the map within the app to locate your car.
However, this new feature gives a more definitive location for your car and helps with the navigation to it, instead of potentially walking randomly.
It also reveals the distance you are from your car, which is a big plus.
Along with this new addition, Tesla added Photobooth features, Dog Mode Live Activity, Custom Wraps and Tints for Colorizer, and Dashcam Clip details.
🚨 Tesla App v4.51.5 looks to be preparing for the Holiday Update pic.twitter.com/ztts8poV82
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) December 8, 2025
All in all, this App update was pretty robust.
SpaceX IPO is coming, CEO Elon Musk confirms
Tesla adds 15th automaker to Supercharger access in 2025
