Indian-origin software engineer Ashok Elluswamy was the first employee hired by Tesla CEO Elon Musk for the company’s Autopilot team, according to Musk’s recent disclosure on social media. In response to a video interview, Musk tweeted that Ashok was recruited after he announced the formation of the Autopilot team in a tweet. Furthermore, Musk clarified that Ashok currently serves as the head of Autopilot engineering.
While Musk often receives credit for Tesla’s advancements, he emphasized the talent and expertise of his team. He mentioned that Andrej, the director of AI, deserves recognition for his contributions as well. According to Musk, the Tesla Autopilot AI team consists of highly skilled individuals, some of the smartest in the world.
Ashok Elluswamy has been associated with Tesla for over eight years. He joined the company as a Software Engineer for the Autopilot division in January 2014 and played a significant role in developing modules for the first-generation Autopilot system, including velocity planning and control, automatic lane change, and more. Within two years, Ashok was promoted to the position of Senior Software Engineer in June 2016.
In September 2017, he further advanced his career at Tesla and became a senior Staff Software Engineer, holding that position until April 2019. Following this, he was appointed as the Director of Autopilot Software in May 2019. Prior to his tenure at Tesla, Ashok worked at Volkswagen Electronic Research Lab and WABCO Vehicle Control System. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at the College of Engineering Guindy in Chennai and holds a Master’s degree in Robotics System Development from Carnegie Mellon University.
The achievements and contributions of Ashok Elluswamy to Tesla’s Autopilot team exemplify the company’s commitment to innovation and progress in the field of electric vehicles. With his expertise and leadership, Ashok plays a crucial role in the development and advancement of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
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