Photo source: Electrek
On Thursday at 7 PM Pacific Time, Tesla will finally unveil its self-driving robotaxi, known as the Cybercab, which displays the tech giant’s leap from merely manufacturing cars to pioneering robotics technology.
“The way to think of Tesla is almost entirely in terms of solving autonomy and being able to turn on that autonomy for a gigantic fleet,” stated CEO Elon Musk in April.
As Musk presents this ambitious vision at the Warner Bros. Discovery studio in Burbank, attention will focus on the complexities of running an autonomous ride-hailing service. The logistics are intricate, involving liability issues and state regulations, as well as concerns about potential vandalism targeting robot taxis.
The Cybercab has been a long-awaited project. Musk first promised a self-driving service similar to Uber in 2019, predicting one million robotaxis by the end of 2020. However, he later postponed the reveal due to design modifications. The new model emphasises a dedicated electric vehicle for Tesla’s robotaxi fleet, blending elements of Airbnb and Uber.
Renderings of the anticipated app have been shared, and Ashok Elluswamy, head of Tesla AI, highlighted the challenges ahead, including charging and maintenance logistics.
Entering this market means competing with established players like Waymo, which currently provides around 100,000 rides weekly in cities like San Francisco and Phoenix. Waymo plans to expand to Austin and Atlanta next year. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Zoox is also testing its robotaxi design in Las Vegas.
Tesla may benefit from observing competitors’ experiences. For instance, Waymo partners with Uber for fleet management, which allows both companies to share responsibilities.
Furthermore, maintaining positive relationships with regulators is crucial. General Motors’ Cruise faced significant setbacks after being accused of withholding information about a serious accident, resulting in fines and operational restrictions.
Despite its engineering headquarters in California, Tesla has not engaged with state regulators about its robotaxi service. A representative from the California Public Utilities Commission confirmed they had not been approached for autonomous permits.
While Tesla holds a testing permit through the Department of Motor Vehicles in California, it reported no autonomous driving miles last year—a stark contrast to competitors like Waymo and Zoox.
As anticipation builds for Thursday’s event, industry experts emphasise the need for clarity on operational details and regulatory approval timelines.