Ashok Elluswamy is a key figure in Tesla’s journey toward advanced self-driving technology. As Tesla’s Vice President of AI, he leads the team responsible for developing the company’s Autopilot and AI software systems. His work has been crucial in transforming Tesla from a regular car manufacturer into a leader in autonomous driving.
Elluswamy joined Tesla in 2014 as the very first engineer hired for the Autopilot team. Since 2019, he has been leading the AI software division, focusing on neural networks, real-time decision-making, and self-driving capabilities. His long tenure and leadership have made him one of the most important members of Tesla’s AI group.
Born and educated in India, Ashok holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai. He later earned a Master’s degree in Robotic Systems Development from Carnegie Mellon University in the United States.
Before joining Tesla, Elluswamy gained valuable experience as a software engineer at WABCO Vehicle Control Systems. He also completed a research internship at Volkswagen’s Electronic Research Lab, where he worked on autonomous driving projects that aligned with his future work at Tesla.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has publicly recognized Ashok’s contributions multiple times. Musk credits him for helping build the Autopilot team and for leading the AI efforts that make Tesla’s self-driving technology stand out. Musk says without Ashok and his team, Tesla would still be searching for autonomy technology rather than creating it.
Based in San Francisco, Ashok continues to guide Tesla’s AI software development with a focus on safety, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what autonomous vehicles can achieve. His work remains vital as Tesla moves closer to fully self-driving cars, marking him as a pioneer in the future of transportation.
