Tesla finally unveils its Cybertruck-inspired Cyber cab, boasting a compact, aerodynamic design reminiscent of the iconic Cybertruck. While enthusiasts had been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of at least one prototype of a robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk thrilled his fans by revealing a fleet of 20 vehicles.
The “We, Robotic” premiere unfolded with fanfare at Warner Bros. studios. Discovery studio on Thursday. Before taking the stage, Musk made his way to a robotaxi, whose doors slid open with a smooth motion, allowing him to demonstrate the vehicle’s capabilities on the meticulously maintained streets of the Hollywood studio.
Elon Musk reiterated his vision for autonomous transportation, asserting that its affordability will make it essentially “individualized mass transit.” He reaffirmed his prediction that the average operating cost of the Cybertruck’s taxi service will settle around $0.20 per mile over time.
“And it’s possible to purchase one,” Musk said, noting that the price would likely fall below $30,000.
Elon Musk anticipates that Tesla will initiate unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities on its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California by next year, further solidifying his vision for autonomous driving innovation. Acknowledging his initial optimism regarding timelines, he revised his projection, foreseeing the Cybercab’s entry into manufacturing by 2026 at the latest, with a potential earlier start date of 2025.
Fans erupted in applause as Musk hinted that attendees might get the chance to test drive the Cybertrucks themselves during the event.
At least 20 autonomous vehicles were observed roaming freely around the entire parking lot without any human supervision, according to an attendee who spoke with TechCrunch.
According to Elon Musk, the robotaxi does not have a traditional plug-in charger; instead, it employs inductive charging, a form of wireless power transfer that eliminates the need for cords.
Robovan and Optimus
At Tesla’s recent unveiling, the company revealed a revolutionary Robovan, a sleek, futuristic autonomous vehicle capable of transporting up to 20 passengers and cargo. Details on the car’s release date remain under wraps, with all eyes focused on its potential to revolutionize roadscapes.
Elon Musk unveiled approximately twelve Optimus humanoid robots, outlining his ambitious vision for a future where these machines serve as reliable companions and assistants at an affordable price point of roughly $20,000 to $30,000. These robots have been effortlessly mingling with the large crowds on the occasion, moving in sync like professional dancers, their advanced mechanisms allowing them to navigate through the throngs of people.
Robotaxi historical past and context
Tesla was initially set to unveil its Robotaxi or Cybercab by, but the launch was delayed due to a last-minute request from management for a “critical design modification to the entrance.”
Tesla’s Robotaxi unveiling marks a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionize urban transportation, just 12 months after reorienting efforts towards producing an affordable $25,000 electric vehicle and streamlining the company’s charging infrastructure. Despite Musk’s futuristic vision for autonomous driving being a reality for several years, investors value Tesla’s stock less as an automaker and more as a technology company due to his imaginative concept.
The Cybertruck prototype embodies one half of Elon Musk’s vision for his company, where Tesla would operate its own fleet of dedicated robotaxis through a ride-hailing app, as unveiled during the Q1 investor call.
Musk likened the technique’s opposite half to established on-demand services such as Uber or Airbnb, where Tesla owners can list their properly equipped vehicles on Tesla’s ride-hailing app when not in use, earning a portion of the revenue while Tesla takes a commission, estimated at 25-30% similar to Apple’s App Store take rate. Musk also noted that Tesla anticipates its robotaxi service will become a reality, although he did not specify a timeline for its implementation.
“By the end of the subsequent year, over one million Tesla vehicles will be on the road equipped with Full Self-Driving hardware, fully functional and operating at a reliability level so high that users can safely fall asleep.” As we envision it, within the next year, or potentially 15 months, we’re likely to see a significant milestone: over 1 million robotaxi units operating on our roads by this time next year, for certain. The fleet suddenly awakens to an unexpected software update, transmitted wirelessly without warning. By 2020, however, that wasn’t the case; it took more to achieve that milestone.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, currently operational in thousands of vehicles, relies exclusively on cameras to comprehend its surroundings. According to business experts, the company’s vision-only approach remains the primary reason why the software still lacks true autonomous capabilities, despite its self-driving moniker. While FSD excels at executing numerous autonomous driving tasks, its primary reliance is on a human operator remaining vigilant and prepared to intervene when necessary.
Despite ongoing claims of a self-driving future, it remains unclear whether current Teslas are equipped with the necessary hardware to reach such an ambitious milestone, which Elon Musk has been touting for several years now? As July approached, a nearly fivefold increase in processing power was required to accommodate the advanced AI capabilities of Tesla’s next-generation system, which would prove extremely challenging to achieve without upgrading the vehicle’s inference computer.
To successfully commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving, requiring no human intervention under specific conditions, Tesla must demonstrate its safety case by presenting robust evidence and rigorous testing protocols. Since its inception, Tesla has faced scrutiny over several fatalities involving Autopilot-equipped vehicles where the advanced driver-assistance system was engaged at the time of the crash. While California maintains the nation’s most stringent regulations governing the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles, in most other states, Tesla is required to demonstrate that its cars can safely pull themselves to the side of the road in the event of an emergency.
The Cybercab’s unconventional design raises concerns about its conformity to federal regulations, specifically those related to vehicle control and safety features. GM’s Cruise previously attempted to deploy its purpose-built robotaxi, the Origin, into production; however, it fell short of meeting the regulatory requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration prior to that.
