Elon Musk Unveils Innovative Two-Door Robotaxi and Robovan at Star-Studded Event
Elon Musk introduced an exciting new era in transportation on Thursday, showcasing a cutting-edge robotaxi equipped with two gull-wing doors and devoid of traditional steering wheels or pedals. This unveiling marks a significant shift in Tesla’s (TSLA.O) ambitions, moving from a low-cost mass-market automaker to a leading robotics manufacturer.
During a high-profile presentation at Warner Bros Studios near Los Angeles, Musk arrived in a prototype he dubbed the “Cybercab.” Scheduled for production in 2026, this futuristic vehicle is expected to be priced under $30,000. Musk highlighted that operational costs would be approximately 20 cents per mile, with the innovative charging system utilizing inductive technology that eliminates the need for plugs.
“The autonomous future is here,” Musk declared, emphasizing Tesla’s commitment to artificial intelligence and advanced camera systems for navigation, unlike competitors that rely on additional hardware. He stated that the event featured 50 fully autonomous vehicles, including Model Ys and the Cybercab, all operating without drivers.
In addition to the robotaxi, Musk unveiled a larger self-driving vehicle known as the “Robovan,” designed to accommodate up to 20 passengers. He also presented Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot, further illustrating the company’s focus on robotics and AI technology.
Musk’s ambitious vision includes establishing a fleet of self-driving Tesla taxis available for passengers to hail via an app. Individual Tesla owners will have the opportunity to generate income by listing their vehicles as robotaxis on the platform.
The event, titled “We, Robot,” alluded to Isaac Asimov’s iconic “I, Robot” short stories and reinforced Musk’s assertion that Tesla should be recognized as an AI robotics company rather than just an automaker. Attendees included investors, stock analysts, and Tesla enthusiasts eager to witness the latest advancements.
However, some investors expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete timelines for ramping up robotaxi production and securing regulatory approvals. Dennis Dick, an equity trader at Triple D Trading, remarked, “Everything looks cool, but not much in terms of timelines. I’m a shareholder and pretty disappointed.”
Musk acknowledged that he often tends to be optimistic regarding project timelines, leaving some stakeholders seeking more definitive information about Tesla’s future in the autonomous vehicle market.
