The Man Behind Tesla's Autopilot Speaks
Ashok Elluswamy, Vice President of AI Software at Tesla and the first engineer to join the company’s Autopilot team, recently offered rare insights into working alongside Elon Musk. In a revealing podcast interview, Elluswamy spoke about his journey from Tamil Nadu to Silicon Valley, Musk’s distinctive leadership, and what it takes to be part of one of the world’s most innovative tech ecosystems.
Working With Musk: Relentless, Risk-Taking, and Remarkably Humorous
Elluswamy painted a vivid picture of Elon Musk as a leader who blends visionary thinking with day-to-day involvement in technical development. “He works incredibly hard—80 to 90 hours a week—and he’s deeply involved in everything,” Elluswamy noted. “He’s not only driven and smart but has a sharp sense of humor. You can see it in person.”
Musk’s ability to anticipate future trends and his willingness to take bold risks stood out as defining traits. “He can predict the future very early,” Elluswamy said, “and that foresight shapes everything we do.”
From Chennai to Silicon Valley: A Journey of Excellence
Born and raised in Tamil Nadu, Elluswamy earned his bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy. He later completed a master’s in Robotics System Development at Carnegie Mellon University. Before joining Tesla in 2014, he worked with Volkswagen and WABCO on advanced automotive technologies.
His path at Tesla began when he became the first hire for the Autopilot software team. Over the years, his role expanded as Tesla grew into a leader in autonomous driving. Today, he leads the development of cutting-edge AI systems that power Tesla's vehicles.
A Culture of Innovation—and Expectation
Describing Tesla’s work culture, Elluswamy emphasized Musk’s hands-on leadership style. “He doesn’t just direct from the top—he gets into the technical details. That challenges all of us to push boundaries.”
He credits much of his own growth to this culture of deep involvement and shared vision. “I’ve learned to value discipline, clarity, and intensity. These are things Elon lives by—and expects from everyone around him.”
Recognition from the Top
Elon Musk himself has publicly acknowledged Elluswamy’s contributions. In a previous statement, Musk said, “Without him and our incredible team, Tesla would just be another car company looking for an autonomous supplier that doesn’t exist.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Elluswamy’s journey—from Chennai to Tesla leadership—serves as a powerful example for aspiring engineers worldwide. His story reflects the rising impact of Indian-origin technologists on global innovation. It’s a testament to what dedication, curiosity, and resilience can achieve when aligned with a bold, future-focused mission.
As Elluswamy continues to shape the future of AI at Tesla, his experience working with Elon Musk offers not just a look inside one of the world’s most admired companies, but also a source of inspiration for anyone daring to dream big.