Drone flyover reveals rapid progress at Elon Musk’s new ATCF chip fab — Texas site prepares for all-in-one logic, memory, and packaging facility

Drone footage of Elon Musk's newly announced Advanced Technology Chip Fab (ATCF) in Texas has been shared online, showcasing rapid progress on the project. The drone videos and photos were taken by Joe Tegtmeyer, a flight instructor and drone videographer known for documenting the Giga Texas and Starbase projects. Despite being announced only on March 21 of this year, groundwork for the ATCF has been swift, with progress recently accelerating, according to Tegtmeyer.

The main foundation of the ATCF, which appears rectangular thus far, is being worked on by GeoPiers. Gravel mix has been placed on top soil, and additional grading is being done on the southern end. The facility has clearly defined shapes, though the beveled corners initially seen in renderings have not yet materialized. Construction materials continue to be stockpiled, indicating a rapid pace of development.

In recent updates, Tegtmeyer highlighted the emergence of four new permits filed in the past few days for a large trailer complex. This complex will house general contractors and temporary Tesla offices. The move suggests the facility is being rapidly prepared for equipment installation once construction allows. It's crucial to note that the ATCF is distinct from the much larger Terafab project, situated about 100 miles away in Grimes County.

The ATCF is a smaller, yet vital, development facility within the overall AI Chip development program, serving as a keystone for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI accelerator chips. Once completed, chips produced at the ATCF will integrate logic, memory, and advanced packaging. The ATCF is expected to support Tesla cars and Robotaxis, Optimus robots, and future Earth-orbiting AI data centers.