Tesla unveiled its highly anticipated Robotaxi and Robovan at a Hollywood studio at the “We, Robot” event in Los Angeles on October 11. However, fans will have to wait until at least 2026 for the cars to become available.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced the driverless robotaxi alongside a larger autonomous Robovan designed to transport more passengers.
The event also showcased Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robot capable of performing various tasks. The latest launches demonstrate Musk’s ambition to pivot Tesla from its traditional focus on manufacturing and selling EVs to a new emphasis on robotics and AI development.
Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi is here with a $30K price tag
Musk arrived at the much-hyped event in the ‘Cybercab’ robotaxi, which boasts a Cybertruck-inspired light bar, butterfly doors, a sleek angular design, and a minimalist interior.
The purpose-built robotaxi features a futuristic design with upward-opening doors, a cabin for two passengers, and no steering wheel or pedals. It will require regulatory approval before production, as it charges inductively without a plug.
Musk stated that autonomous cars are projected to be 10–20 times safer than human-driven vehicles and could cost as little as 20 cents per mile, compared to $1 for city buses. “This is a very big deal,” Musk said. “It’ll save lives, a lot of lives, and prevent injuries.”
Tesla CEO said consumers would be able to buy a Cybercab for a price tag under $30,000.
During the event, Musk emphasized the potential of autonomous cars as time-savers. “Think about the cumulative time that people spend in a car,” he said, “and the time they will get back that they can now spend on their books or watching a movie or doing work or whatever.”
Self-driving technology
Tesla plans to launch fully autonomous driving in Texas and California next year, with the Cybercab entering production by 2026, though it could be delayed until 2027. Musk said further unsupervised full self-driving (FSD) trials will take place wherever regulators allow them.
“We’ll move from supervised Full Self-Driving to unsupervised Full Self-Driving. where you can fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” he said. “It’s going to be a glorious future.”
The company also plans to roll out its Full Self-Driving technology on the popular Model 3 and Model Y in Texas and California next year. Tesla’s current approach to full self-driving (FSD) technology demands constant driver attention, helping to keep costs lower. However, it has come under legal scrutiny due to at least two fatal accidents involving the system.
However, Tesla is trailing behind companies Waymo, an independent subsidiary of Alphabet, and GM’s Cruise. Waymo and Cruise are leading the way as both have accumulated millions of miles of on-road testing with their driverless vehicles.
20-seat Robovan set to transform urban travel
Alongside the Cybercab, Musk announced plans for an autonomous electric Robovan designed to transport up to 20 people. Operating these Robovans will be even more cost-effective, at just five cents per mile.
“The Robovan is what’s gonna solve for high density,” Musk said. “So if you want to take a sports team somewhere, or you’re looking to really get the cost of travel down to, I don’t know, 5-10, cents a mile, then you can use the robovan.” No date of service or pricing was given for the Robovan.
Elon Musk introduces Optimus Robots alongside Robotaxi
At the Cybercab event, people were wowed to see Tesla’s Optimus robots serving drinks, handing out small gift bags at one table, and even playing rock, paper, scissors, engaging with attendees in entertaining ways.
“I think this will be the biggest product ever of any kind,” Musk claimed at the event as he introduced the humanoid robots.
These humanoid robots are set to redefine household assistance. Musk said that these robots can perform daily tasks such as bringing in packages, watering plants, dog walking, and even babysitting. He estimated the long-term cost of the robots to be between $20,000 and $30,000.
