Tesla has officially introduced its Cybercab, a vehicle reminiscent of a smaller, sleeker version of the Cybertruck, with seating for two. Although many expected to see a prototype of a robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, Tesla CEO Elon Musk surprised the audience with a fleet of 20 units.
The spectacular “We, Robot” event took place on Thursday at Warner Bros. Discovery Studios. Before taking the stage, Musk performed a demonstration with one of the Cybercabs, which opened its gullwing doors and cruised along the pristine streets of the Hollywood set.
During his speech, Musk reiterated his previous statements about the affordability of autonomous transportation, claiming that the operational cost of the Cybercab would be so low that it would resemble “personalized public transport.” According to Musk, the average cost per mile will be around 20 cents.
“And you’ll be able to buy one,” Musk assured, mentioning that the price of these vehicles would be under $30,000.
Musk also shared his expectation that Tesla would begin implementing “unsupervised FSD” (full self-driving) in Texas and California next year, specifically with the Model 3 and Model Y. Although he acknowledged that his predictions tend to be optimistic, he indicated that he expects Cybercab production to begin between 2026 and 2027.
The audience’s excitement grew when Musk announced that attendees would have the opportunity to test the Cybercabs during the event.
Another innovation of the robotaxi is that it will not require a traditional plug-in charger, as it features “inductive charging,” a form of wireless charging, according to Musk.
Robovan and Optimus
The event also included a surprise debut: the Robovan, an autonomous vehicle with the capacity for 20 passengers or cargo. Although no specific timeline was given, Musk hinted that this vehicle could transform road infrastructure in the future.
Musk also introduced Optimus, a humanoid robot, with around a dozen units showcased at the event. These robots, designed to act as companions and assistants, could be priced between $20,000 and $30,000. During the event, the robots interacted with attendees, danced go-go style, and even mixed drinks.
Apparently, these robots could also converse with guests, adopting different accents and personalities, although it wasn’t clear whether these functions and movements were remotely controlled by humans.
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director