Elon Musk introduced Tesla’s self-driving Cybercab at a grand event at Warner Bros. studio in Burbank, California on Thursday evening. As usual, Musk mentioned that the Cybercabs would be available in two to three years. These two-seater vehicles do not have a steering wheel or pedals and are marketed as “personalized mass transit.” Musk also mentioned inductive charging, eliminating the need for plugging in the vehicle like a traditional electric car, without providing any specifics on how it would function. The presentation began with Musk stepping out of a Warner Bros. studio building and into a Cybercab that drove him to the audience, creating a spectacular display with Hollywood glamour. Despite his showmanship, the question remains whether Musk can actually deliver on a promise he has been making for the past decade.
A concept video for the Cybercab played in the background as Musk spoke on stage, revealing an expected price below $30,000, eliciting cheers from the audience. However, when asked about the availability of the Cybercabs for purchase, Musk mentioned that fully autonomous, unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) would start in Texas and California next year with existing Tesla models. Production of the optimized Cybercab for autonomous transport is anticipated around 2026, although Musk jokingly admitted he tends to be optimistic with timeframes.
Twenty Cybercabs were available for guests to test at the event, with Musk predicting that autonomous vehicles would be ten times safer than human drivers. The idea of renting out Cybercabs when not in use was highlighted as a selling point. However, Musk did not address the regulatory approvals required for these plans, a significant hurdle faced by other companies in the industry. Musk also showcased a Robovan and an Optimus robot, claiming they would revolutionize physical labor and personal assistance tasks. The event was livestreamed on YouTube under the title “We, Robot,” but fell short of providing detailed information on costs, scaling, or insurance.
While other companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise are already operating driverless taxis using Lidar technology, Tesla’s approach differs. Musk’s controversial reputation, including his embrace of Trumpism and past unfulfilled promises, adds to the skepticism surrounding his latest announcements. The event showcased Musk’s ambitious visions, but only time will tell if he can successfully deliver on these promises, given his track record of delayed or altered products.