Ashok Elluswamy
As of October 2026, Ashok Elluswamy is vice president of AI software at Tesla, covering Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. After an engineering degree at the College of Engineering, Guindy, he earned a master's in robotic systems development at Carnegie Mellon University in 2013. Joining Tesla in 2014, he was the first engineer hired for its Autopilot team, and in May 2019 he became director of Autopilot software. In May 2024, Elon Musk publicly thanked him for his contributions to Tesla's AI and Autopilot systems. Bloomberg reported in June 2025 that he would take over responsibilities for Optimus.
- Now at
- Tesla
Timeline
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2005–2009
A bachelor's degree from Guindy
From 2005 to 2009, he completes a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and communication at the College of Engineering, Guindy.
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2013
A master's from Carnegie Mellon
A master's in robotic systems development follows at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in 2013.
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2014–2016
The first Autopilot engineer
He joins Tesla in 2014 as the first engineer hired for its Autopilot team. A promotion to senior software engineer follows in June 2016.
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2017–2019
Director of Autopilot software
He is promoted to senior staff software engineer in September 2017 and to director of Autopilot software in May 2019.
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2024
Public thanks from Elon Musk
In May 2024, Elon Musk publicly thanks him for his contributions to Tesla's AI and Autopilot systems.
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June 2025
Taking charge of Optimus
Bloomberg reports in June 2025 that he will take over responsibilities for Optimus.
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2026
Unsupervised robotaxis join the fleet
In 2026 he posts on X that a few unsupervised vehicles join the robotaxi fleet, and the ratio will increase over time.
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As of October 2026
Vice president of AI
At Tesla, he is vice president of AI software for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving.
Sources and credits
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- “Thanks Ashok” Elon Musk’s Praise for this Indian - Channeliam / Channel I'M English
- Tesla VP Ashok Elluswamy Gives Rare Interview [Video] - Drive Tesla
- Meet Indian origin techie Ashok Elluswamy, Elon Musk's first recruit for Tesla Autopilot team - BusinessToday
- Departure of Tesla’s top humanoid robot engineer adds to turmoil after Elon Musk and President Trump’s public feud | Fortune
- Elon Musk Promised Self-Driving Cars For Years. Tesla Finally Started Robotaxi Rides With No Safety Monitors
- Who is the VP, AI Software of Tesla? Ashok Elluswamy
- Tesla Begins Fully Driverless Robotaxi Testing in Austin - Drive Tesla