Tesla has unveiled two new autonomous vehicles – the long-anticipated Robotaxi and the larger Robovan – marking a bold step in the company’s shift towards a fully autonomous future. Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased the vehicles during the ‘We Robot’ event in California.
The Robotaxi, dubbed the Cybercab, is a compact self-driving coupé that relies on artificial intelligence and cameras for navigation, ditching traditional steering wheels, pedals, and even lidar sensors. Joining the Cybercab is the Robovan, a 20-seat autonomous van aimed at providing efficient transport for larger groups. Musk highlighted that both vehicles will operate wirelessly, without charging ports, reflecting Tesla’s continued focus on innovation.
The Cybercab, priced at an estimated $30,000 (£23,000), is expected to hit the market by 2027, while no specific timeline has been given for the Robovan’s launch. Tesla envisions these vehicles operating like ride-sharing services, where users can summon them via an app. Musk suggested that owners could potentially hire out their vehicles, allowing for multiple revenue streams.
Unlike previous autonomous vehicle models, Tesla’s Robotaxi and Robovan don’t rely on lidar or mapping software, opting instead for Tesla’s in-house Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Musk aims to have unsupervised FSD technology certified for Tesla’s existing Model 3 and Model Y by 2025, paving the way for a future where cars can drive without human intervention.
Despite this ambitious vision, Musk acknowledged Tesla’s tendency to miss projected launch dates, joking about his optimistic timelines. Nevertheless, the Cybercab and Robovan are part of Tesla’s broader strategy to evolve from being just an electric vehicle manufacturer to a leader in autonomous robotics.
Tesla’s unveiling comes amid growing competition in the autonomous vehicle space, with firms like Waymo and Cruise already testing driverless taxis in cities worldwide. While no vehicle has yet achieved full autonomy, Tesla’s new offerings mark an important milestone in the race to commercialise self-driving technology.
