Tesla unveiled a robot called Cybercab during its “We, Robot” event at Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio in California, six months after Elon Musk revealed that the company will launch one. Musk entered the stage in a Cybercab, with no steering wheels or pedals, announcing that “there are 20 more” when he came. He talked about how “absorbing” our current modes of transportation are and how cars are always waiting. The autonomous vehicle could be used more, he said. “With autonomy, you get your time back… Autonomous cars will be 10 times safer.”
Musk said the cost of private transportation will be so low that it will be comparable to mass transit. Over time, he said, the operating cost of the robot will be 20 cents per mile, 30 to 40 cents with tax. He assured the audience that people will be able to buy one and that Tesla expects to sell the Cybercab for less than $30,000.
Tesla’s CEO envisions a future where people own several robots, managing fleets like “shepherds,” who can earn money through a horse-sharing network. When asked when the model will be available, he replied that Tesla will start by making Full Sell Unsupervised Driving available on the Model 3 and Model Y in Texas and California. Musk said the Cybercab is expected to go into production before 2027, but he himself admitted that he tends to be “very optimistic about the timelines.” And he does – he said back in 2019 that Tesla would “have over a million robots on the road” within a year.
Talking about Cybercab technology, he said it uses AI and vision. Tesla has long been dropping the radars and sensors widely used by other robots like Waymo. As a result, he said, it doesn’t need expensive machinery, and Tesla can keep production costs low. Notably, the Cybercab does not come with a charging port and uses passive charging instead.
Reuters it was reported in April that Musk ordered the company to go “all-in” on robotaxis built into its small car portfolio. Musk previously said the prototype would be unveiled on August 8, but later announced that the company’s robotaxi event would be pushed back to October after requesting “significant design changes up front.” The delay will give the company more time to “show off a few more things,” he explained. The Cybercab that Tesla unveiled to the public today is all silver and appears to have taken design cues from the Cybertruck. It does not have a rear windshield and has doors that open up.
In addition to reporting the robot’s presence, Reuters revealed in April that Tesla had abandoned its plans for a low-cost, $25,000 electric car. While Musk called it a lie, another report by Electrek supported Reuters‘ The story also cited “sources familiar with the matter” who reportedly told the publication that the production of the low-cost EV has been postponed.
After talking about the Cybercab, Musk briefly introduced the Robovan – an autonomous van that can carry up to 20 people and transport goods. It will reduce travel costs, he said, as it can carry large groups such as sports teams. Finally, Musk released a demonstration of Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robot. Musk said that Tesla made great progress in its development last year and that in the future, it can teach your children, mow your lawn and be your friend. He believes Tesla could sell its Optimus robots, which mingle with the audience and serve drinks during the event, for between $20,000 and $30,000.
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