Dave Lee

Tesla and SpaceX Need to Merge. Here’s Why. w/ Emmet Peppers

45K views · 1w ago · 1:38:37

Guest: Emmet Peppers

Before Tesla’s Roadster event, Emmet Peppers and I recorded our drive from Austin to Waco. We started with his Cybercab rides—and ended up debating Tesla’s future, a possible SpaceX merger, and who wins the AI race. My view is that Tesla needs more than great hardware and manufacturing. As AI gets more capable, access to the best intelligence becomes increasingly important. That’s a big reason I think Tesla and SpaceX need to merge.

Topics: Driving from Austin to the Roadster event · Emmet’s Cybercab rides and the slow rollout · What’s holding back robotaxi scale? FSD and AI hardware · Tesla’s position in the broader AI race · Why I want Tesla and SpaceX to merge · Optimus vs. the AI labs: hardware and intelligence

I Saw Tesla’s Flying Roadster In Person w/ Emmet Peppers

32K views · 2w ago · 1:24:03

Guest: Emmet Peppers

Emmet Peppers and I just left Tesla’s Roadster event in Waco, Texas. Seeing that demo in person was mind-blowing. But what can customers actually buy—and what does this tell us about Tesla’s future? On the drive back to Austin, we talk through the Roadster, a possible Tesla–SpaceX merger, Cybercab, and what could get Tesla’s business growing again. We also debate Cybertruck demand and whether Tesla should have done more to educate people about its vehicles.

Topics: Leaving the Roadster event with Emmet Peppers · First reactions to the flying Roadster · The demo vs. the car customers can buy · Safety concerns and the limits of the demo · Tesla stock and a possible SpaceX merger · What would drive Tesla’s next phase of growth?

Cybercab just blew my mind

73K views · 1mo ago · 12:44

After experiencing Tesla’s Cybercab in Austin, I think the biggest thing people are missing is the zero-sum game built into Uber. Two people share one environment with different preferences. The driver wants the temperature at 66. I want 72. We have different preferences for music, volume, and whether the windows should be open. My comfort can come at the expense of his—and I don’t blame the driver. It’s his working environment.

Topics: Walking up to the Cybercab · A two-minute pickup · The zero-sum game built into Uber · Temperature: your comfort vs. the driver’s · Music and volume: another tug of war · Cleanliness, conversation, and bringing coffee

(almost) Everyone is wrong about Tesla vs Uber

148K views · 1mo ago · 53:57

I Rode Tesla’s Cybercab… It’s Better Than I Expected

349K views · 1mo ago · 12:07

I took two rides in Tesla’s Cybercab in Austin, and I’m telling you — this thing exceeded my expectations. The legroom, quiet cabin, huge screen, and freedom to just sit back and enjoy the ride are incredible. But the biggest surprise was how natural it feels with no steering wheel or pedals. There’s no empty driver’s seat reminding you that someone is missing. It just feels like this is how getting from point A to point B is supposed to work.

Topics: My first Cybercab ride in Austin · Legroom, seats, and the massive screen · Ride quality: what I’d improve · Testing the window controls · Why no steering wheel changes the experience · Second ride: YouTube, relaxing, and exceeding expectations

Everyone Wanted a Cheaper Tesla. Elon Had Other Plans.

167K views · 1mo ago · 35:36

Tesla’s growth has slowed, and the affordable new model many people expected hasn’t arrived. Did Tesla abandon its high-volume ambitions—or choose a different path to get there? In this video, I share my theory about why Elon Musk went all in on Cybercab and FSD, what that decision may have cost Tesla in the short term, and how it could lay the foundation for an entirely new lineup of affordable, autonomous vehicles.

Topics: What happened to Tesla’s growth? · Where is the cheaper Tesla? · My thesis on Tesla’s future · Cybercab vs. a cheaper conventional Tesla · Elon’s all-in decision · The complexity of driver controls

Tesla just reinvented the car (Cybercab is here)

134K views · 1mo ago · 1:12:07

I attended Tesla’s Cybercab launch event in Austin and spent more than two hours speaking with Tesla engineers and examining the technical displays. In this video, I share what I learned about the Cybercab’s unboxed assembly process, plastic exterior, brake-by-wire system, interior design, thermal management, drive unit, crash testing, serviceable battery pack, AI hardware, and manufacturing line.

Topics: Event setup, expectations, and keynote · Why this launch is a major Tesla milestone · Unboxed assembly and the six vehicle modules · Cybercab body-panel “golden ticket” · RIM plastic, durability, and cost savings · Future autonomous passenger vehicles

Unsupervised Tesla FSD Is Closer Than You Think - Here’s Why

37K views · 1y ago · 6:53

In this video, I break down why I think I'll be able to use unsupervised FSD in my own Tesla in Austin before the year is over. How Tesla's geofenced Robotaxi network is the key. Creating hyper-realistic simulations of cities like Austin to rapidly train and validate FSD. The logical steps from safety-monitored Robotaxis to unmanned Robotaxis, and finally, to unsupervised FSD for personal vehicles in those same proven zones.

Tesla Model Y LONG, Robotaxi War, Elon Musk's America Party, xAI Investment - MY TAKE

26K views · 1y ago · 35:35

Lots of exciting things happening with Tesla this week. Here's what I cover in my video 1. Elon Musk's America Party - Risk vs benefit. 2. Robotaxi Race: Waymo vs Tesla - Who will win? 3. Leadership Turnover - Bigger picture. 4. Model Y L for China - Why it's a great move and why I expect another smaller model. 5. xAI Investment - Should Tesla shareholders approve of a Tesla investment in xAI? 6. Bay Area Expansion - Will SF Bay Area get Robotaxi? 7.

The Dangerous Push to Control Elon Musk

31K views · 1y ago · 11:30

I address the idea of requiring Elon Musk spend a certain number of hours per week on Tesla. I also critique the idea of required the Tesla board to oversee Elon Musk's political activity. Elon has proven himself over and over to be one of the greatest innovators and value-creators of all time.

My Wife’s FIRST Time Trying a Tesla Robotaxi AND Waymo - HER REACTION

86K views · 1y ago · 56:53

I took my wife on three Tesla Robotaxi rides and two Waymo rides in Austin, Texas. I learned a lot from her reaction. Social Apple Podcast Dave Lee on Parenting,

Tesla's INSANE Plan to Make Billions of Humanoid Robots - with James Douma

81K views · 1y ago · 1:11:33

Guest: James Douma

If you're interested in Tesla Robotaxi, Tesla AI or Tesla FSD, then you ought to know about James Douma. He's probably the one person who's done the deepest public dives on Tesla FSD and Tesla AI over the years. In fact, over the past 4 years I've published 40+ videos (!) with James Douma on Tesla AI/FSD (they are all on a playlist on my YouTube channel).

Is Tesla Robotaxi Ready for Primetime? - with James Douma

78K views · 1y ago · 2:12:12

Guest: James Douma

I had the chance to spend the day taking Tesla Robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas with James Douma. We discuss our experiences riding Tesla's driverless cars and the Robotaxi service, possible expansion, Waymo and competition, and more.

Tesla Robotaxi Changed His Mind — Investor Emmet Pepper Rides in Austin

89K views · 1y ago · 1:31:49

I spend two days with Emmet Peppers in Austin, Texas as we take multiple rides in Tesla's new Robotaxi service. Social Apple Podcast Dave Lee on Parenting,

I Tested Tesla Robotaxi & Waymo So You Don’t Have To — Uber’s In Trouble

78K views · 1y ago · 39:30

Day 3. Finished 5 Tesla Robotaxi rides, 4 Waymo rides, and 1 Uber ride. (See 39-minute edited video below.) Uber is in a tough situation. Classic innovators dilemma. Autonomous ride-hailing clearly is the future, but if Uber invites Waymo then that's working against their human drivers which will hurt Uber's recruiting ability (which they need to keep density especially in suburban areas).