News
Tesla Semi sleeper section and large side storage teased in new video
Recent videos of the Tesla Semi at the 2024 IAA Transportation trade show in Hannover, Germany have revealed some new details about the production version of the Class 8 all-electric truck. These include, among other things, a space for a sleeper area and some clever storage space on the sides of the vehicle.
The Tesla Semi was initially unveiled in late 2017, though deliveries of the vehicle to its first customer, PepsiCo, started in December 2022. A number of changes have been rolled out to the Semi’s design since its unveiling, from the changing of its door handles to the removal of its frunk.
I learned a few new things checking out the very first Tesla Semi in Europe today.
A thread ?:
1. Tesla has already designed the Semi with sleeper cab in mind per the team, they're "keeping the space" for it with a metal frame in place: pic.twitter.com/I5qLLn3Dtr— Jaan of the EV Universe ⚡ (@TheEVuniverse) September 16, 2024
Electric vehicle enthusiast @TheEVuniverse recently shared some videos featuring the Tesla Semi at the electric vehicle maker’s booth in the IAA Transportation 2024 exhibitor’s hall. The EV advocate noted that he was fortunate enough to capture some footage of the Tesla Semi at the event, and he was also able to learn a number of interesting details about the vehicle.
2. The Tesla Semi has been designed 'international' from start, so they had to change very little for Europe entry (only minor details like wheel covers etc).
Semi hasn't gone through homologation for EU markets, as it isn't launching just yet (as far as I could understand) pic.twitter.com/cmz18ApPAF— Jaan of the EV Universe ⚡ (@TheEVuniverse) September 16, 2024
These include a sleeper cab, which would be useful for Tesla Semi units that would be deployed for long routes. Tesla has reportedly designed the Semi with a sleeper cab in mind, so for now, the area where the sleeper cab would be built is occupied by a metal frame. Considering the area occupied by a metal frame in the EV advocate’s video, it would appear that the Semi’s sleeper area would be quite spacious.
3. The Tesla Semi storage compartments on both sides are actually rather large, and they pop wide open when pushing a button on the touchscreen.
The Semi doesn't have a frunk, although they didn't show us under the hood because of the competition snooping pic.twitter.com/IhdmUFUoIa— Jaan of the EV Universe ⚡ (@TheEVuniverse) September 16, 2024
The production Tesla Semi is also fitted with side storage compartments, which are located on both sides of the Class 8 all-electric truck. The storage spaces are rather large, and they are reportedly opened through a button on the Tesla Semi’s touchscreen. Interestingly enough, the door of the vehicle also features physical buttons that open the hood and side storage areas.
4. The Tesla Semi door has buttons to open the hood and the side storage door;
The window doesn't seem to open too much, but enough for toll booth payments etc;
The red loop with the dude is a handle that opens the door in case of emergency:
The cabin is surprisingly spacious pic.twitter.com/lfbYREUqpN— Jaan of the EV Universe ⚡ (@TheEVuniverse) September 16, 2024
The Tesla Semi features a central driving position, which suggests that the vehicle was designed for international markets from the beginning. Tesla reportedly only has to change very little in the Semi for it to be approved for Europe. The vehicle has not gone through homologation in EU markets yet, though this would likely be done later as the vehicle prepares to enter the region.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s xAI gains first access to Saudi supercluster with 600k Nvidia GPUs
The facility will deploy roughly 600,000 Nvidia GPUs, making it one of the world’s most notable superclusters.
A Saudi-backed developer is moving forward with one of the world’s largest AI data centers, and Elon Musk’s xAI will be its first customer. The project, unveiled at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., is being built by Humain, a company supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The facility will deploy roughly 600,000 Nvidia GPUs, making it one of the world’s most notable superclusters.
xAI secures priority access
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the planned data center marks a major leap not just for the region but for the global AI ecosystem as a whole. Huang joked about the sheer capacity of the build, emphasizing how unusual it is for a startup to receive infrastructure of such magnitude. The facility is designed to deliver 500 megawatts of Nvidia GPU power, placing it among the world’s largest AI-focused installations, as noted in a Benzinga report.
“We worked together to get this company started and off the ground and just got an incredible customer with Elon. Could you imagine a startup company, approximately $0 billion in revenues, now going to build a data center for Elon? 500 megawatts is gigantic. This company is off the charts right away,” Huang said.
Global Chipmakers Join Multi-Vendor Buildout To Enhance Compute Diversity
While Nvidia GPUs serve as the backbone of the first phase, Humain is preparing a diversified hardware stack. AMD will supply its Instinct MI450 accelerators, which could draw up to 1 gigawatt of power by 2030 as deployments ramp. Qualcomm will also contribute AI200 and AI250 data center processors, accounting for an additional 200 megawatts of compute capacity. Cisco will support the networking and infrastructure layer, helping knit the multi-chip architecture together.
Apart from confirming that xAI will be the upcoming supercluster’s first customer, Musk also joked about the rapid scaling needed to train increasingly large AI models. He joked that a theoretical expansion one thousand times larger of the upcoming supercluster “would be 8 bazillion, trillion dollars,” highlighting the playful exaggeration he often brings to discussions around extreme compute demand.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk debunks pay package and lip reader claims in double takedown
Musk’s quick debunks highlighted once more that X is an ideal platform for directly countering misinformation.
Elon Musk recently took to X to debunk some misinformation about his 2025 CEO performance award, as well as some comments he made during Donald Trump’s banquet in honor of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Musk’s quick debunks highlighted once more that X is an ideal platform for directly countering misinformation.
Musk’s pay package
Elon Musk’s 2025 CEO performance award was created as a path for him to gain a 25% stake in Tesla. It would also make him a trillionaire, provided that he manages to meet all of the performance award’s aggressive targets. This has not stopped critics from running with the apparent narrative that Musk will be getting the $1 trillion with utmost certainty, however.
This included the More Perfect Union account on X, which noted that “Elon Musk is set to make more than every U.S. elementary school teacher combined, according to the Washington Post.”
Musk responded to the pro-union amount’s post, highlighting that he has not earned any of his $2025 performance award so far. Musk also noted that those who believe he will be getting $1 trillion should invest in TSLA stock, as his compensation is tied to the company’s performance and growth. Investors who hold their TSLA until Musk achieves his full pay package would likely get notable returns.
Lip reader fail
Musk also debunked claims from the Daily Mail, which claimed that he made an “explosive” remark at Trump’s banquet for Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Citing observations from lip reader Nicola Hickling, the Mail claimed that Musk asked Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, “What is your opinion, is he a terrorist?” The publication also posted a video of Musk allegedly making the risqué comment on X.
Musk proceeded to correct the publication, stating that the lip reader’s observations were fake. Instead of asking the Pfizer CEO if the Saudi Prince was a terrorist, Musk noted that he was asking the executive about cancer medicine. “False, I was asking about upcoming cancer drugs,” Musk wrote in a response on X.
Musk’s comments resulted in numerous critical responses to the Mail’s video, with some X users joking that the lip reader who analyzed the clip should probably get a visual acuity test, or a better training course on lip reading at least.
News
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.