Tesla unveils long-awaited prototype robotaxi

Tesla has unveiled its highly expected Cybercab at a star-studded event in Los Angeles, marking a major change towards autonomous electric vehicles. CEO Elon Musk made a grand entrance in the Cybercab, a fully autonomous robotaxi, and confirmed that production would begin in 2026. The Cybercab is designed to bring affordable, mass-market autonomy to the public.

“The autonomous future is here. We have 50 fully autonomous cars here tonight. You’ll see model Ys and the Cybercab—all driverless,” said Elon Musk.

The Robovan: A Solution for High-Density Travel

The event, held at Warner Bros studio in Los Angeles, briefly paused after a medical emergency in the audience, but Musk continued to captivate viewers with more groundbreaking announcements. He introduced the Robovan, a large, futuristic electric minivan capable of transporting up to 20 passengers or large amounts of goods.

Musk called the Robovan as the solution for high-density travel, suggesting it could reduce travel costs to as low as 5-10 cents per mile.

Throughout the “We, Robot” event, Musk championed the safety and efficiency of Tesla’s autonomous technology, claiming that the Cybercab and other autonomous vehicles would be 10 to 20 times safer than human-driven cars. He shared that 50 fully autonomous vehicles, including the Model Y and Cybercab, were already on display, offering a glimpse into the future of transportation. This announcement comes after years of delays, following Musk’s original pledge for Tesla robotaxis during Tesla Autonomy Day in 2019, and signals that Tesla’s autonomous vision is finally becoming a reality.

Features of Cybercab and Robovan:

• No human driver is required, operating as a driverless robotaxi.
• Designed to make autonomous vehicles accessible to the public at a lower cost.
• Claimed to be 10 to 20 times safer than human-driven cars.
• Displayed alongside Tesla’s Model Y, showcasing a fleet of driverless cars.
• Aimed at providing an efficient solution for high-density travel.
• Expected to reduce travel costs to as low as 5-10 cents per mile.
• Part of Tesla’s autonomous vehicle lineup features driverless operation.