From Joe Tegtmeyer.
Gigafactory Texas! This is where Model Y’s, and Cyber Truck production happens and in 2025, the Next Generation Car(s), Cybercab & the Optimus Robot!
It was a windy and cloudy morning around Giga Texas today, but I was able to get a full flight in and saw some interesting developments and changes around the entire facility!~ From N construction grading and earth work, to Caisson TBM assembly, final glass installation on the south extension, and new Model Y’s coming out of the factory along with more Cybertrucks driving through the Cybertunnel, and a big Tesla news day yesterday, there is plenty to discuss and see today!
Timestamps:
Drone flight overview with discussion & illustration: 0:06 to 3:36
Drone flight footage & infographics: 3:59 to 32:38
In the video introduction, I discuss several new Tesla Newsworthy items that came from the White House Tesla event yesterday. Here are some of the items I discussed:
President Trump addressed recent attacks on Tesla stores, property, & customer cars saying doing so will be handled as domestic terrorism. He also purchased a new Model S Plaid (Red) in a sign of support for Tesla!
Elon committed to doubling US Tesla production in the next 2 years and also reiterated Cybercab Robotaxi service in Austin this June, that Cybercabs will not have steering wheels or pedals (despite me showing images of steering wheels in at least some prototypes), and full production will be in 2026, with Cybercabs built at Giga Texas.
I also discussed the nice display of an original bright orange roadster at the west main entrance, and the Cybertruck with new Model Y in a display box on a trailer at the base of the flags. These are hold overs from the big Model Y delivery event this past weekend.
A few other items of note in the video today:
At the west side large caisson, we were able to look down inside and see crews busy preparing to assemble the small tunnel boring machine that will connect all the caissons together and allow the new water intercept system to operate. The main parts of the TBM are still on the ground at the top of the caisson but will be lowered down via the crane soon. Crews could also be seen working on the entry and exit points for the TBM at the bottom of the caisson.
At the north end, work on expanding the graded construction site was underway in preparation of beginning construction of the new central campus support facility, also known internally as Cortex 2.0. Augers were at work today presumably doing work to strengthen the soil ahead of construction start, while trucks were unloading a lot of rebar on the east side of the site in a make-shift material staging yard. On the west side, crews were preparing to fill in the last of the old valleys and ponds in the area where the electrical switchyard is set to double in size, further increasing the power delivery needed to support two Cortex Datacenters.
On the roof of the multi-level parking garage, many Tesla’s (including at least one new Model Y) equipped with LiDAR racks on the roof were visible … the most I have ever seen at one time. Meanwhile, around the factory, Cybercabs were driving around, continuing testing. It is possible both the LiDAR equipped cars and the Cybercabs are all part of the preparation work needed to meet the upcoming June Robotaxi event in Austin.
One final detail I wanted to share and that has to do with autonomous driving of new vehicles to the outbound lot. From what I have recently heard, the cars are autonomously driving but are using humans as supervisors. This is final testing and confidence gaining in how the systems work before Tesla fully commits to having the vehicles drive themselves to the outbound lot. I got some nice views of this in action on the east side of the End-of-Line facility in my video today!
Thank you for watching and I hope this has been informative, educational, and entertaining for you. If you would like, please consider supporting me via Patreon (link is in the description of this video and in the video itself) so I can continue to make and share these incredible videos.
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Be sure to check out additional Texas Gigafactory footage on these channels:
@Jeff Roberts
@Brad Sloan
Video, photos, illustrations, and commentary on this video is by me, Joe Tegtmeyer unless otherwise annotated.
Music in this video is obtained from the YouTube free and unrestricted and royalty-free use library. Ending song is Mr. Sunny Face – Wayne Jones
Drones used are DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2 & Air 3.
Drone flight over Giga Texas is with permission of Tesla and CEO Elon Musk
