Tesla reveals its new ‘Cybercab’ robot taxi

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Tesla has unveiled a robotaxi known as Cybercab in the event it conducted known as the “We, Robot” at Warner Bros. Discovery studio in California, half a year after its CEO Elon Musk announced the company was going to launch one. Finally, Musk arrived at the stage in a Cybercab – an experimental car, devoid of wheels or pedals; there are 20 more of these, in_caps. He then discussed how our current modes of transportation are “suck,” and how cars are always on stand-by. An autonomous car, he said, could be used more as a car that can drive itself while following all the rules of the road. ”Autonomy allows one to get personal time back… A self-driving car is going to be ten times safer.”

Elon Musk stated that the cost of self-driving cars will be so cheap they will be cheaper than owning public transport. In time, he said that the operating cost of the robotaxi would be 20 cents per mile, 30 to 40 cents with taxes in some states. He reassured the spectators that people will be able to purchase one and electric car-maker Tesla believes it could soon be selling the Cybercab for less than $30,000.

Now, the head of Tesla sees a world where people can own multiple robotaxis, which are a kind of vehicle used as taxis and driven by electricity, and control a fleet as a shepherd to earn money with the help of a ridesharing network. When one pressed on him when the model would be released, he was quick to answer that Full Sell Driving, a fully autonomous self-driving model would initially be rolled out on the Model 3 and Model Y only, in Texas and California. Musk stated that the Cybercab is slated to be produced before 2027, but even this world’s mogul acknowledged that he sometimes overestimates timing a bit too much. And he does — he said way back in 2019 that Tesla will “have over a million robotaxis on the road” within a year.

Talking about Cybercab’s technology, he said that it uses AI and vision. Tesla has long dropped radars and sensors that other robotaxis like Waymo’s use extensively. Because of that, he said that it doesn’t need expensive equipment, and Tesla can keep manufacturing costs low. Notably, the Cybercab doesn’t come with a charging port and uses inductive charging instead.

Reuters reported back in April that Musk ordered the company to “go all in” on robotaxis built on its small-vehicle platform. Musk previously said that the model was going to be unveiled on August 8, but he later announced that the company’s robotaxi event would be pushed back to October after he requested “an important design change to the front.” The delay would also give the company extra time to “show off a few other things,” he explained. The Cybercab that Tesla presented to the audience today is all silver and seems to have taken design cues from the Cybertruck. It doesn’t have a back windshield and has doors that open upwards.

In addition to reporting the robotaxi’s existence, Reuters revealed in April that Tesla scrapped its plans for an affordable, $25,000 electric vehicle. While Musk called it a lie, another report by Electrek backed Reuters‘ story and cited “sources familiar with the matter” who reportedly told the publication that the low-cost EV’s development has been postponed.

After talking about the Cybercab, Musk briefly introduced the Robovan — an autonomous van that can carry up to 20 people and transport goods. It’ll get the costs of travel down even further, he said, since it could transport big groups like sports teams. Finally, Musk brought out a parade of Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robots. Musk said Tesla has made dramatic progress in its development over the past year and that in the future, it could teach your kids, mow your lawn and even be your friend. He believes Tesla could sell its Optimus robots, which mingled with the audience and served drinks during the event, for between $20,000 to $30,000.