Tesla Unveils Futuristic Self-Driving Robotaxi and Robovan at ‘We Robot’ Event!

Tesla has taken a bold step toward its vision of a fully autonomous future with the unveiling of two groundbreaking vehicles – the highly anticipated Robotaxi, named the Cybercab, and the larger Robovan. Introduced by CEO Elon Musk during the ‘We Robot’ event in California, these autonomous vehicles represent Tesla’s continuing push to revolutionize transportation through cutting-edge technology.

The Cybercab is a compact, fully self-driving coupé that ditches traditional steering wheels, pedals, and even lidar sensors, relying solely on artificial intelligence and cameras for navigation. It is expected to be priced around $30,000 (£23,000) and hit the market by 2027. Joining it is the Robovan, a 20-seat autonomous van designed for larger group transportation. Both vehicles will operate wirelessly, without the need for charging ports, highlighting Tesla’s innovation-driven approach.

Musk outlined the vision for these vehicles as part of a ride-sharing model, where users can summon them via an app. Additionally, owners could potentially rent out their vehicles, creating multiple revenue opportunities. Unlike competitors, Tesla’s Robotaxi and Robovan will not use lidar or mapping software, instead depending on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which Musk plans to have certified for unsupervised driving by 2025.

While no specific timeline has been announced for the Robovan’s release, both vehicles reflect Tesla’s ambition to go beyond electric vehicles and lead the field of autonomous robotics. As competition heats up, with companies like Waymo and Cruise already testing driverless taxis, Tesla’s new entries mark a significant milestone in the race toward commercializing self-driving vehicles, even as Musk humorously acknowledged Tesla’s history of optimistic launch timelines.