Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new vehicle called the robotaxi and a larger vehicle known as the Robovan. The robotaxi is a five-seater without a steering wheel or pedals, designed to transport people autonomously. Musk stated that passengers could fall asleep and wake up at their destination. The cost of the cybercab is expected to be under $30,000, with self-driving tests planned for 2025 in Texas and California for other Tesla vehicles. Musk expressed optimism about producing cybercabs before 2027.
The Robovan has a larger capacity, capable of carrying up to 20 people. It features swivel seats, futuristic lighting, and no visible wheels or windshield. However, there was no mention of when it would be available.
Both vehicles are designed to charge on a charging pad instead of being plugged in like current Tesla vehicles. According to Musk, operating the Cybercab will cost 20 cents per mile over time while running the Robovans will be even cheaper at 5 cents per mile.
Musk emphasized that these vehicles would rely on artificial intelligence and cameras rather than hardware like lidar commonly used by robotaxi competitors.
During the event, Optimus robots made by Tesla were also showcased. These robots are expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000 and may be available by the end of 2025.
Musk believes that this venture into AI and robotics will make Tesla one of the biggest companies ever. However, some investors have criticized this shift away from focusing solely on electric vehicles.
Tesla shareholder Ross Gerber expressed concern about prioritizing autonomy over selling EVs in the next two years. Ramesh Poola from Creative Planning also wanted more details on how Tesla plans to monetize its AI and robotics endeavors.
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