Tesla Shifts Gears with ‘Cybercab’ Robotaxi and Robovan as It Expands Autonomous Ambitions

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the “Cybercab” robotaxi, featuring gull-wing doors and no manual controls, along with a “robovan” capable of carrying up to 20 passengers. With production targeted for 2026 and a price under $30,000, Tesla aims to lead the autonomous vehicle market, though regulatory challenges and technical hurdles remain.

During the event, Musk claimed that autonomous vehicles could be up to 10 times safer than human-driven cars. He also highlighted cost-efficiency, with Cybercabs projected to operate at 20 cents per mile and robovans at just 5 cents.

However, the lack of timelines disappointed some investors, as Tesla faces challenges from established rivals like Alphabet’s Waymo. The new Tesla vehicles will rely on AI and cameras, foregoing lidar technology, which some experts see as crucial for safe and reliable automation.

Musk also provided updates on Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, aiming for a price range of $20,000-$30,000. Despite the ambitious vision, questions linger on the feasibility and safety of Tesla’s automation plans.