Tesla has officially introduced its long-anticipated robotaxi, now branded as the Cybercab.
CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybercab at a groundbreaking event, showcasing its sleek, futuristic design as a fully autonomous electric vehicle capable of transporting passengers without any human intervention.
During the event, the Cybercab demonstrated its capabilities by autonomously navigating through mock streets and arriving on stage, accompanied by 20 other Cybercabs operating independently.
Notably, the Cybercab is designed without a steering wheel or pedals, featuring two butterfly wing doors that allow passengers to enter and exit, emphasizing its driverless functionality.
Inside, it boasts a large display comparable to those found in current Tesla vehicles, creating an inviting lounge-like atmosphere for passengers to relax while the vehicle handles the driving.
In an innovative twist, the Cybercab eliminates the need for a traditional charging port, opting for wireless induction charging. However, specific details regarding battery capacity and charging speed were not disclosed during the presentation.
Musk highlighted that the Cybercab aims to tackle significant issues associated with present-day traffic, which he described as slow, unsustainable, costly, and unsafe. He asserted that a fleet of autonomous vehicles could dramatically enhance safety, reduce costs, and even generate income for their owners by transporting passengers while they rest.
The estimated price for a Cybercab is around $30,000, according to Musk’s announcement.
While these ambitions are not new, as Musk has consistently expressed the vision of a dedicated robotaxi fleet, the timeline for Cybercab deployment remains uncertain. Musk indicated that Tesla aims to roll out fully autonomous, unsupervised driving in Texas and California by 2025, starting with the Model 3 and Model Y. Production of the Cybercab is projected to commence in 2026, although Musk cautioned that he often is “a little optimistic with time frames,” later revising the estimate to “before 2027.” Notably, all aspects of autonomous driving will require regulatory approval in the U.S. and internationally.
This underscores an ongoing challenge for Tesla: while plans for autonomous driving are ambitious, the technology, as well as regulatory hurdles, could delay widespread implementation. The key questions now focus on Tesla’s capability to achieve these milestones and the timeline for government approvals.
