Did you miss Tesla’s most significant event since its founding? Don’t worry; we’ve got all the details.
During a highly anticipated robotaxi event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased a prototype of the company’s first fully autonomous vehicle, known as the Cybercab. Attendees had the opportunity to experience rides in this new vehicle at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California. Adding to the excitement, Musk also revealed a surprise: a novel transport vehicle called the “Robovan,” which can be configured for mass transit or cargo transport.
Musk has long claimed that a driverless Tesla was merely “two years away.” After several delays, he finally presented something tangible to fans and investors. The reactions to the “We, Robot” event will be critical in assessing whether Musk can deliver genuine self-driving technology that can stand up to established robotaxi competitors like Waymo and Cruise.
Tesla’s Cybercab resembles a more compact and sleek version of the Cybertruck, designed as a two-seater. While many attendees anticipated at least one prototype of a robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, Musk delighted the audience with a fleet of 20 vehicles.
The vibrant “We, Robot” event unfolded at the Warner Bros. Discovery studio on Thursday. Before addressing the crowd, Musk showcased a robotaxi with gullwing doors, performing a brief demonstration on the studio’s well-kept roads. Notably, the robotaxi features “inductive charging,” a form of wireless charging that eliminates the need for a traditional plug-in charger, according to Musk.
Musk reiterated his belief that the cost of autonomous transport will be exceptionally low, comparing it to “individualized mass transit.” He estimated the average operating cost for the Cybercab would eventually hover around $0.20 per mile.
“And you’ll be able to buy one,” Musk added, indicating the vehicle would be priced below $30,000.
He also expressed his expectation that Tesla would begin offering “unsupervised full self-driving (FSD)” capabilities in Texas and California next year, specifically for the Model 3 and Model Y. While acknowledging his tendency to be overly optimistic about timelines, Musk projected that the Cybercab could enter production by 2026 or “before 2027.”
The audience erupted in cheers when Musk announced they could experience the Cybercabs firsthand during the event.
A surprise addition to the event was the Robovan, an autonomous bus designed to accommodate up to 20 passengers and transport goods. No specific timelines were provided for its rollout, but Musk hinted at a future that could “change the look of the roads.”
Musk also introduced around a dozen Optimus humanoid robots, elaborating on his vision for a future where these robots serve as companions and helpers, with a projected price range of $20,000 to $30,000. These robots interacted with attendees, showcasing various movements like dancing and mixing drinks, and appeared to engage in conversation, displaying different accents and voice personas on command. However, it remained unclear whether these capabilities and the robots’ actions were remotely controlled by a human operator.
In summary, Tesla’s “We, Robot” event marked a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward realizing fully autonomous vehicles, with the Cybercab and Robovan leading the charge into a new era of transportation.
Watch the full presentation below.
