Elon Musk’s publicly traded electric vehicle company, Tesla, Inc., held its highly anticipated “Cybertruck Reveal” event on October 10, 2024, at the Los Angeles-based Warner Bros. Studios. Discovery Studios, based in Burbank, California, premiered the show live on its social media platform, X, as well as on YouTube.
Despite showcasing sleek prototypes of a brand-new “Cybercab” autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or fuel and brake pedals, and an equally sparse, art deco retrofuturistic “Robovan” capable of seating 20 passengers, the occasion was criticized by some prominent observers as being more flash than substance, lacking specific details on timelines, prices, and legal points, and even coming across as deceptive in certain instances.
A seemingly innocuous gesture: Tesla’s still-developing humanoid Optimus robots filled the event space, mingling with attendees, and even pouring drinks at a bar, raising suspicions about the true purpose of this innovative display. While some may have previously believed that these robots were fully autonomous, recent reports reveal that they are actually controlled remotely by a human operator in another location.
“Not wholly AI?
“Let’s be clear: I’m not a fan of AI,” wrote enterprise capitalist, “completely worthy of having fun with low-latency remote management. However, completely dishonest to demo these as autonomous robots – call it the parlor trick if you will.”
Does Tesla’s touted AI superiority extend to meaningful advancements in robotics? While Elon Musk enthusiastically promotes the Optimus, Cybercab, and Robotaxi as groundbreaking innovations with far-reaching societal implications, electric vehicle (EV) reviewers at X caution that much of the technical expertise remains “unbelievably” inaccessible to investors and consumers until the products are actually delivered.
While Tesla’s vision of fully autonomous personal robots and novel autonomous electric vehicle types remains intriguing, its feasibility is still largely speculative rather than practical. Here’s the video of the event embedded below, along with a summary of the key points discussed.
Will Cybertruck’s ride-hailing service outshine traditional buses and Tesla’s own Model 3 at an affordable price point?
One of the most hotly anticipated announcements was Tesla’s Cybertruck, a futuristic two-seat electric vehicle engineered specifically for autonomous driving capabilities.
Musk unveiled the Cybercab as a sleek, ultra-compact variant of the pioneering Cybertruck, boasting an estimated price tag under $30,000 – significantly more affordable than Tesla’s current most accessible private vehicle, the Model 3, which originally debuted at $35,000 in 2019 but has since escalated to around $42,000.
Pursuant to Elon Musk’s vision, Tesla aims to establish a target cost-per-mile range of $0.20 to $0.30 for its Cybercab, significantly undercutting the estimated operating cost of a bus, reportedly around $1 per mile.
Autonomous vehicles can be powered by inductive charging technology, rendering traditional plug-in charging stations obsolete and seamlessly integrating these self-driving cars into urban landscapes.
Elon Musk’s vision for a personalized “mass transit” future has been a cornerstone of his strategy for some time, with the Cybertruck being a crucial component in bringing this ambitious goal to fruition.
As the event unfolded, Elon Musk beamed with pride as a fleet of 20 self-driving Cybertrucks navigated seamlessly across the expansive grounds. He underscored that the Cybercab is a pivotal component of a far-reaching endeavour to render cities more secure, pristine, and environmentally sustainable.
With its AI-powered predictive system honed on hundreds of thousands of vehicles, Tesla’s technology enables autonomous cars to operate seamlessly without succumbing to the fatigue and distractions that plague human drivers. According to Musk, Tesla’s autonomous technology has the potential to render driving 10 to 30 times safer than when conducted by humans.
The editor suggests: Autonomous vehicle proprietors could potentially manage entire fleets, offering ride-hailing services akin to those offered by Uber or Lyft. If successfully implemented, this innovative business model has the potential to revolutionize the gig economy, paving the way for individuals to diversify their income streams and seize new opportunities for financial growth.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the Cybercab’s launch, industry experts expressed concerns about the scarcity of tangible details regarding its implementation.
Musk stated that production of the Cybertruck is likely to commence sometime between 2026 and “possibly earlier” than 2027, acknowledging his propensity for being overly optimistic when forecasting timelines.
Despite its reputation for innovation, Tesla has historically faced challenges meeting production deadlines for high-profile projects like Full Self-Driving (FSD) and the Cybertruck, with Elon Musk’s claims of waterproofing the latter being an overstated promise.
As a Washington Post know-how journalist, my entire We Robot occasion livestream was preceded by a prominent disclaimer from Tesla stating: “Ahead-looking statements are grounded in assumptions about the future, are based mostly on our current expectations, involve certain risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees.” “Pursuant to customary cautionary language, actual results may deviate substantially from the projections contained within this forward-looking statement.”
While Tesla’s ambitious vision for affordable autonomous transportation is indeed captivating, much uncertainty surrounds the company’s ability to deliver on its promises.
What if I told you there’s a new player in town that’s changing the game when it comes to mass transportation? Say hello to Robovan – Tesla’s answer to buses, trains, and everything in between.
At the recent event, another significant revelation was Tesla’s Robovan, a massive self-driving vehicle capable of transporting up to 20 passengers or cargo.
Elon Musk envisioned the Robovan as a potential game-changer in high-density urban transportation, suggesting a future where autonomous shuttles could supplant traditional buses as the norm.
The Robovan envisions a future where environmentally sustainable, decongested cities thrive, with autonomous vehicles operating frequently enough to eliminate the need for large, underutilized parking lots.
As urbanization continues to evolve, there is a growing potential for cities to repurpose parking spaces and transform them into vibrant public parks, ultimately leading to an elevated quality of life for residents.
While some knowledgeable enthusiasts have been thrilled about the innovation, especially the Robovan’s sleek, art deco-inspired design, others are speculating that “hundreds of thousands” or tens of thousands of people could be living in Robovans converted into mobile homes by 2031.
Despite **bold objectives** and a promise of rewards, critics have swiftly pointed out that Tesla failed to provide any specific timeline for the Robovan’s production.
While Tesla showcased a prototype of its autonomous vehicle technology, China has already successfully deployed operational self-driving vans in real-world urban settings.
Is Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology set to roll out in Texas and California as early as next year?
At the We Robotic gathering, a persistent idea was Elon Musk’s conviction that self-driving cars will transform urban life by reducing congestion, boosting safety, and revitalizing public spaces.
Tesla’s plans to debut fully autonomous Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology without human oversight in Texas and California by 2025 represent a pivotal milestone in its ongoing evolution.
The rollout begins with the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, followed by the introduction of the Cybertruck and culminating in the launch of the Cybercab.
Elon Musk envisioned a future where self-driving cars become exponentially more prevalent, with their value skyrocketing to an astonishing ten times the current rate of vehicle usage.
Despite Musk’s unwavering optimism, several significant obstacles persist. Despite significant advancements, Tesla has faced critical regulatory hurdles in rolling out its full self-driving capabilities, while autonomous driving technology has yet to reach the level of Degree 4 autonomy necessary for vehicles to operate independently without human intervention?
Optimus: your future family helper?
Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot stole the show at the event. Elon Musk introduced the robotic companion as a versatile personal assistant capable of executing routine tasks, including childcare, dog walking, lawn maintenance, and beverage service at social gatherings.
The robot effortlessly charmed the crowd by engaging in conversations, mixing drinks behind a bar, and even playing rounds of “rock, paper, scissors” in a surprisingly fluid manner, leaving onlookers impressed by its remarkable adaptability.
According to Elon Musk’s estimates, the retail price of Optimus could range from $20,000 to $30,000, rendering it an affordable luxury item for potentially hundreds of thousands of households to consider.
Despite assurances about the robotic’s capabilities, he failed to provide a specific timeline for its launch, leaving stakeholders uncertain. Moreover, he refused to address crucial questions regarding the robot’s handling of challenging situations, such as children or pets running away, breaking objects, or causing mischief. The lack of clarity on how the robot would safely navigate these scenarios and prevent harm to others remains unanswered.
Meanwhile, various robotics suppliers, including startups like, and, are vigorously pursuing their own humanoid robotic assistants for the home, sparking a fierce competition. Notwithstanding Tesla’s unyielding dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, its continued market share growth creates a particularly optimistic prognosis for the Optimus.
Security, authorized, and regulatory challenges remain a significant hurdle for implementing effective data governance practices.
As Tesla strives to pioneer the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles and robotics, one of its most significant hurdles lies in securing regulatory approval.
While Elon Musk’s vision for autonomous transportation is ambitious, it raises pressing legal and security concerns.
While autonomous vehicles like the Cybercab, devoid of traditional controls, may need to comply with stricter security standards before being deployed on public highways for widespread use?
Regulators have placed Tesla’s full self-driving technology under the microscope after a series of high-profile crashes occurred when partially autonomous Teslas were involved.
To achieve Degree 4 autonomy, Tesla must demonstrate the reliability of its systems to handle various driving scenarios without posing risks to passengers or pedestrians under specific circumstances.
Spammers benefit from the eye
The We Robotic event drew significant online attention, but its livestream was beset by a torrent of bots and spammers hawking an unrelated cryptocurrency token, XAI33x.
Despite the chaos, ardent Tesla enthusiasts remain buoyed by Elon Musk’s visionary pronouncements, even as skepticism lingers regarding the realistic timelines and feasibility of certain announcements.
