The Tesla CyberCab Electric Vehicle (EV) was unveiled Thursday at the “We, Robot” event. Unveiled on the Warner Bros. Lot in Burbank, California, as a competitor to the likes of Alphabet’s Waymo, the long-awaited robotaxi joins Tesla’s line of autonomous self-driving vehicles like the CyberTruck, Model 3 and Model S. However, unlike the aforementioned vehicles, it does not feature a dedicated steering wheel or any which paddles, hinting at the potential realization of billionaire Elon Musk’s vision of a driverless future.
In addition to the cybercab, Musk unveiled the slaver and introduced Optimus, a general-purpose robotic humanoid. The billionaire also restated his promise to bring autonomous driving to Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y in California and Texas by 2025.
Tesla Cybercab features
With the introduction of cybercabs, Musk’s Tesla aims to break into the robotaxi market, which currently has Waymo as a major player in the US, operating a fleet of unmanned vehicles. Tesla’s RoboTaxi won’t have pedals or even a steering wheel. Instead, it will rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and an array of sensors and cameras to steer and travel to set destinations, using the company’s Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)-based FSD system.
The interior of the Tesla Cybercab
Photographer: Tesla
The cybercab appears to have a coupe-like design with two doors. It has butterfly doors and a large touchscreen mounted on the center console – a design element that has now become synonymous with Tesla vehicles. The rest of the interior will be minimalist, with no visible buttons anywhere on the center console. Uniform LED strips run along the entire front and rear of the cybercab, while its sloping roof appears to be inspired by the Tesla CyberTruck. Unlike other Tesla vehicles, which need to be plugged in, the robotaxis will have inductive charging, which uses electromagnetic induction of energy to power the device.
While other specifics, such as a possible powertrain or range, have not been revealed, Musk has promised that the cybercab will be priced under $30,000 (roughly Rs. 25 lakh) in the US and could have an operating cost of $0.20 (roughly Rs. 17. ) per mile. The Tesla Cybercab is expected to hit production in 2026.
At the event, Tesla also unveiled a 20-seat slave vehicle that could serve as a shared, low-cost solution for commuters. However, the billionaire did not delve into the details of the prototype vehicle.
Updates to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have also been introduced. Musk has promised that Tesla will bring self-driving vehicles to California and Texas by the end of next year.