In a striking presentation on Thursday, Elon Musk introduced a groundbreaking two-door robotaxi featuring gull-wing doors, devoid of a steering wheel or pedals, as part of Tesla’s ambitious pivot from a low-cost automaker to a leading robotics manufacturer. This unveiling also included a new addition to Tesla’s lineup—a spacious robovan.
Musk made a dramatic entrance in a prototype dubbed the “Cybercab,” announcing that it will enter production by 2026, with an estimated price tag of under $30,000. He revealed that operational costs would be around 20 cents per mile over time, and the vehicles would utilize inductive charging technology, eliminating the need for traditional plug-in systems.
The Tesla CEO emphasized that these cars would harness artificial intelligence and cameras, eschewing additional hardware that competitors currently rely on. This bold approach has raised eyebrows among investors and analysts who express concerns about its feasibility from both technical and regulatory perspectives. “The autonomous future is here,” Musk declared. “We have 50 fully autonomous cars here tonight. You’ll see Model Ys and the Cybercab—all driverless.”
In addition to the robotaxi, Musk presented a larger self-driving vehicle known as the Robovan, capable of accommodating up to 20 passengers. He also showcased Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot, further underscoring the company’s commitment to AI and robotics.
Musk’s vision includes operating a fleet of self-driving Tesla taxis that passengers can summon through an app. Furthermore, individual Tesla owners will have the opportunity to list their vehicles as robotaxis, generating income through the platform.
The event, titled “We, Robot,” took place at the Warner Bros studio near Los Angeles and cleverly references Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” science-fiction tales. It reflects Musk’s assertion that Tesla should be viewed primarily as an AI and robotics company rather than merely an automotive manufacturer. The audience comprised investors, stock analysts, and Tesla enthusiasts.
However, some investors left the event feeling underwhelmed, hoping for more tangible timelines regarding Tesla’s ability to scale robotaxi production, obtain regulatory approvals, and execute a robust business strategy to outpace competitors like Alphabet’s Waymo. Dennis Dick, an equity trader at Triple D Trading, voiced his disappointment, stating, “Everything looks cool, but not much in terms of timelines. I think the market wanted more definitive timelines. He didn’t give much info.”
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