‘We, Robot’ Tesla Robotaxi Event Complete Guide: The Announcements of Cybercab and Robovan

After a short delay due to a medical emergency, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the highly anticipated Cybercab robotaxi prototype at the “We, Robot” Tesla Robotaxi event in Burbank, California. Held at Warner Bros. Studios, the Tesla Robotaxi event showcased Tesla’s latest autonomous innovation as the company continued their push to redefine personal transportation. 

Robotaxi pic.twitter.com/zVJ9v9yXNr

— Tesla (@Tesla) October 11, 2024

Musk, known for his ambitious goals, announced that production could begin as soon as 2026, with the futuristic vehicle expected to cost less than $30,000. This bold move signals Tesla’s commitment to advancing self-driving technology despite previous challenges.

Besides Cybercab, Musk unveiled the Robovan, a larger vehicle designed to carry up to 20 passengers, further expanding its vision of autonomous transit. Listed below is everything you need to know about Tesla’s transportation enhancements. 

Everything You Need to Know From the Tesla Robotaxi Event

Tesla Cybercab/Robotaxi

At the heart of the Tesla Robotaxi event was Musk’s unveiling of the Cybercab, a sleek two-door vehicle with gull-wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals, reflecting Tesla’s vision of a fully autonomous future. For context, Musk surprised attendees by arriving on stage in one of the Cybercab prototypes, emphasising its practicality and design. With a target price of under $30,000, the Cybercab aims to provide an affordable option for those seeking self-driving transportation.

This price point is significantly lower than the current Tesla models like the Model 3, which now starts at over $42,000 after discontinuing the base rear-wheel-drive version. However, this announcement has been met with some scepticism due to Tesla’s history of pricing discrepancies, such as with the Cybertruck, which initially promised a sub-$50,000 price but now starts at around $80,000.

In addition, according to Musk, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology remains central to the operation of Cybercab. While FSD allows for lane changes, parking, and simple navigation, it is not yet fully autonomous and requires driver supervision. Tesla has faced regulatory scrutiny over its self-driving claims, including a 2022 investigation by the Department of Justice and a recall of over 2 million vehicles in 2023 due to safety concerns related to its Autopilot system. However, despite these setbacks, Musk continues to tout FSD as the cornerstone of Tesla’s future success.

The Lingering Challenges for Tesla Cybercab/Robotaxi

Throughout the Tesla Robotaxi event, Musk highlighted the potential time-saving benefits of autonomous vehicles, stating that passengers can work, watch movies, or relax during their commutes. While this vision is appealing, Tesla must overcome significant technological and regulatory challenges before fully autonomous vehicles become a reality.

For example, Tesla’s Cybercab enters a competitive and rapidly evolving self-driving market, where established players like Waymo and Cruise have already logged millions of miles in real-world testing. Waymo operates in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, while Cruise has resumed supervised rides after facing setbacks in California. These companies rely on hardware such as lidar and radar in addition to AI, while Tesla continues to focus solely on cameras and AI for its autonomous technology.

However, despite Tesla lagging in on-road testing, Musk remains confident that his company’s approach will ultimately prevail. He has promised that Tesla’s FSD will make its vehicles ten times safer than human drivers and that the Cybercab will eventually require no human oversight.

In a way, Musk is making due to his promise that Tesla would revolutionise the transportation industry with fully autonomous vehicles. For instance, even as far back as 2019, he predicted a fleet of 1 million robotaxis by the end of 2020 — a target he failed to achieve. Nonetheless, the Cybercab represents the latest step toward realising that vision, with Musk emphasising its potential to save time and lives by removing the need for human drivers.

Robovan and Optimus Humanoid Robots

In addition to the Cybercab, Musk introduced the Robovan at the Tesla Robotaxi event, Tesla’s larger self-driving vehicle designed for group travel. Capable of carrying up to 20 passengers, the Robovan is an autonomous shuttle that is for ride-hailing services or public transportation. Like the Cybercab, the Robovan will operate with Tesla’s advanced AI, relying solely on cameras and sensors rather than traditional autonomous systems like radar or lidar.

Musk emphasised the convenience and safety that these vehicles could bring, allowing passengers to work, watch movies, or relax while travelling. “It’ll save lives, like a lot of lives, and prevent injuries,” Musk remarked during the event, touting the advantages of fully autonomous vehicles over human drivers. However, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system is still under development, and the company continues to face scrutiny over its safety performance.

Optimus is your personal R2D2 / C3PO, but better

It will also transform physical labor in industrial settings pic.twitter.com/iCET3a9pd8

— Tesla (@Tesla) October 11, 2024

Lastly, Musk showcased Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, near the end of the Tesla Robotaxi event, signalling a deeper focus on automation and artificial intelligence. The market’s reaction to these developments has been mixed, with some analysts expressing scepticism about Tesla’s ability to deliver on its ambitious goals, considering the company’s history of delays and regulatory challenges.

The Road Ahead for Tesla

The unveiling of the Cybercab, Robovan and Optimus at the Tesla Robotaxi event represents Tesla’s most significant step yet toward achieving full autonomy. With a 2026 production date and a price point below $30,000, it has generated excitement among Tesla fans and industry watchers. However, with regulatory hurdles and stiff competition from established players in the autonomous vehicle market, the path to a self-driving future remains uncertain.

Musk’s track record of overcoming challenges suggests that the Cybercab may eventually play a massive role in Tesla’s growth. Yet, as with all of Tesla’s projects, only time will tell whether the company can meet its ambitious goals and deliver a fully autonomous vehicle that lives up to its promises. The autonomous revolution is on the horizon, but the road ahead may still be long.

For the latest tech news and announcements, follow our Twitter page as we cover the latest events from your favourite tech giants.