This gives insights to Elon's mind: If a design is taking too long, the design is wrong. Strive to delete parts and processes. Are we in the future or not? If not, who cares? Who is the Chief Engineer? It is me (Elon rjw). Everyone is a Chief Engineer ... you don't have subsystem optimization. Product errors reflect organization errors. Question your constraints. Bob Wilson
Elon has the knack of talking something from old and making it new and relvent. A lot of what he says has been said in the past by others (may be in a lillte different context) but not in this concise a fashion. For example "Strive to delete parts and processes" which is the essence of the Toyota Production Method (TPM). "Everyone is a Chief Engineer ... you don't have subsystem optimization." and "Product errors reflect organization errors." Deming/Juran era where they said "Quality is every ones business" and "Management is responsible for quality, not the workers". "Question your constraints." goes back to Goldratts "Theory of Constraints" and how to manage around. Good insights.
What was most interesting is Elon discussed using Model 3 battery packs and motors to drive the hydraulic pump. Then he revealed that they could just use Model 3 motors to directly drive the aero surfaces and not said, even engine gimbals(?) In effect, hydraulic pumps, pipes, and valves are left on the ground replaced by power electronics and cables. Bob Wilson
