Photo source: Free Malaysia Today
Tesla has officially launched its Cybercab at the “We, Robot” event, a compact and stylish two-seater that resembles a smaller version of the Cybertruck. Many anticipated the introduction of a fully autonomous robotaxi devoid of steering wheels and pedals, but CEO Elon Musk surprised attendees by showcasing a fleet of 20 vehicles.
Musk began his presentation by approaching a Cybercab with gullwing doors that opened automatically, and then demonstrating its capabilities on the well-maintained streets of the studio lot.
He reiterated his previous assertions regarding the affordability of autonomous transport, suggesting that the operational costs could be as low as $0.20 per mile. He also mentioned that the price for purchasing a Cybercab would be under $30,000 (approximately NZD $49,000).
Looking ahead, Musk expressed optimism about initiating “unsupervised Full Self-Driving” (FSD) in Texas and California next year with the Model 3 and Model Y. Although he admitted to being overly optimistic with timelines in the past, he anticipates that production for the Cybercab could commence by 2026 or possibly earlier.
Introducing the Robovan
In an unexpected reveal, Tesla also introduced the Robovan at the event, an autonomous bus designed to transport up to 20 passengers or carry goods. No specific timeline for its release was provided, but Musk hinted at a transformative future for urban transport.
Additionally, Musk presented around a dozen Optimus humanoid robots, showcasing his vision of a future where these robots serve as companions and helpers. The robots engaged with attendees by dancing and even mixing drinks, displaying various accents and voices on command—though it remains unclear if these actions were remotely controlled.
The Road to Robotaxis
Originally set to unveil the Robotaxi or Cybercab in August, Tesla postponed the launch due to an “important design change” requested by Musk. Musk’s long-term vision for autonomous driving has been a significant factor in how investors view Tesla—not merely as an automaker but as a technology firm.
The Cybercab prototype embodies one aspect of Musk’s business strategy established since at least 2019, which is operating a fleet of dedicated robotaxis through a Tesla ride-hailing app.
Musk has also described another facet of this strategy akin to platforms like Uber or Airbnb, allowing Tesla owners to rent out their equipped vehicles on Tesla’s app while the company takes a 25% to 30% cut of the revenue. He projected that rides in these robotaxis would be cheaper than public transportation but did not specify when this would occur.
Tesla’s FSD software currently operates on hundreds of thousands of vehicles but relies solely on cameras for environmental perception. Industry experts argue that this vision-based approach is why FSD is not genuinely fully autonomous yet. It can perform many driving tasks automatically, but it still requires human oversight.
There are also concerns about whether existing Teslas possess the necessary hardware to achieve full autonomy as promised by Musk over the years.
For Tesla to commercialise Level 4 autonomy—where vehicles can operate independently under certain conditions—it must demonstrate safety. The company has faced multiple federal investigations concerning fatal accidents involving its Autopilot system.
California enforces strict regulations for testing autonomous vehicles. While in other states, Tesla must prove its cars can safely pull over when needed. Moreover, the Cybercab’s design lacks steering wheels or pedals, raising compliance issues with federal vehicle safety regulations.