Inside the rise of Ashok Elluswamy, the Elon Musk lieutenant leading Tesla's self-driving gamble

In a bold move that sent shockwaves through Tesla's engineering team, CEO Elon Musk made a pivotal decision in 2022 by eliminating ultrasonic sensors from the company’s self-driving technology. Instead, Tesla's vehicles would now depend solely on a suite of cameras, a gamble unprecedented in the autonomous vehicle industry. This transition coincided with the departure of Andrej Karpathy, Tesla's AI director, placing Ashok Elluswamy, then the head of Autopilot software, at the helm of this ambitious initiative. Colleagues recall Elluswamy's hands-on approach, as he led a dedicated team in rigorous testing of the new software. They would often be seen driving around Tesla's parking lot, pushing the limits of the system by intentionally navigating close to obstacles. This commitment exemplified Elluswamy's resolve to realize Musk's vision of full autonomy for Tesla vehicles. Elluswamy’s journey at Tesla began in 2014 when he became a founding member of the Autopilot team. Over the years, he has risen to prominence, becoming the vice president of AI Software within two years after overseeing the public rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in 2022. His leadership was further highlighted when the company launched its first robotaxi service in Austin and a ride-hailing service in the Bay Area. Despite his significant role, Elluswamy remains a private figure, seldom in the spotlight. His colleagues describe him as a diligent engineer with a remarkable ability to align with Musk's ambitious goals. They note his similar traits to Musk, including a sense of humor and a knack for making tough decisions. Elluswamy's rise reflects a blend of engineering prowess and adept navigation of Musk's often unpredictable leadership style. His team operates within one of Tesla's most secretive environments, where high salaries and a dedicated focus on autonomous technology are the norms. Elluswamy’s ability to manage the pressures from Musk—who has notoriously high expectations—has been vital to his success. Originally from a middle-class family in southern India, Elluswamy's early academic life was marked by a focus on robotics rather than traditional learning. After moving to the U.S. to pursue advanced studies in robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, he began shaping his career at Tesla, quickly ascending through the ranks. Today, as Tesla navigates challenges in the self-driving space, including lawsuits and federal investigations, Elluswamy stands as a critical player. His team has faced scrutiny over the methods employed in testing the FSD software, with some former engineers expressing concerns about the risk levels involved. Yet, Elluswamy remains committed to the goal of revolutionizing transportation. During a team celebration for the FSD release, he addressed his colleagues with a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the importance of their achievements amidst numerous challenges. Musk has publicly acknowledged Elluswamy's contributions, stating that without him and his team, Tesla would merely be another automaker seeking external autonomy solutions. As Elluswamy continues to steer Tesla's ambitious self-driving initiatives, his journey reflects both the potential and the high stakes of leading in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.