Tesla unveils 20 Cybercabs at the We, Robot event, announcing they’ll be available for under $30,000

Tesla has officially launched its Cybercab, which features a smaller and sleeker design akin to a two-seater Cybertruck. While many were hoping to see a prototype of a robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, CEO Elon Musk thrilled his audience by introducing a lineup of 20 vehicles.

The dynamic “We, Robot” event took place at the Warner Bros. Discovery studio on Thursday. Prior to his presentation, Musk showcased the robotaxi, which elegantly opened its gullwing doors and took a brief spin through the studio’s pristine streets.

Musk reiterated his earlier claims that the expense of autonomous transport would be remarkably low, comparing it to “individualized mass transit.” He estimated that the average operating cost for the Cybercab would settle around $0.20 per mile over time.

“And you will have the opportunity to purchase one,” he said, indicating that the vehicle’s price would be under $30,000.

He also expressed his expectation for Tesla to launch “unsupervised FSD in Texas and California next year” with the Model 3 and Model Y. Although he acknowledged his tendency to be overly optimistic about timelines, he projected that production of the Cybercab would start by 2026 or “before 2027.”

The crowd erupted in cheers when Musk announced that they would have the opportunity to test drive the Cybercabs during the event.

Safety Concerns

Mr. Musk also mentioned that he anticipates “fully autonomous unsupervised” technology will be available in Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y in Texas and California next year, “pending approval from regulators where applicable.”

However, such approval is far from certain.

“It’s a large piece of metal operating at high speeds on public roads, so safety concerns are significant,” noted Samitha Samaranayake, an associate professor of engineering at Cornell University.

Tesla’s self-driving goals depend on cameras, which are less expensive than radar and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors used by many of its competitors.

By training its cars to drive using artificial intelligence fed by data collected from its vast fleet, Tesla aims to achieve its vision.

Nonetheless, the research community “remains skeptical about whether Tesla’s approach can provide the safety assurances we desire,” Mr. Samaranayake remarked.

How Does the Tesla Cybercab Work?

You can think of the Cybercab as an Uber experience without the awkward small talk. You’ll be able to request one through an app on your phone, and it will take you to your destination. During the ride, you can watch movies, work on your laptop, or even catch some sleep. The car utilizes a range of cameras and sensors to monitor its surroundings, and it improves safety over time by leveraging data from thousands of vehicles completing millions of trips. This system relies primarily on Tesla’s artificial intelligence technology rather than just hardware, making it cost-effective to produce and easy to update.

Additionally, the Cybercab features inductive charging. Instead of using a plug, you drive over a large wireless charging pad, similar to those used for smartphones, to recharge the batteries. However, this should be taken with a grain of caution, as significant infrastructure development would be needed to implement it. A traditional plug socket is more likely when the car goes into production.

Robovan and Optimus

Tesla surprised attendees at the event by unveiling a sleek Robovan, an autonomous bus that can accommodate up to 20 passengers while also transporting goods. No specific timelines were provided for this vehicle—just a suggestion of a future that could “transform the appearance of our roads.”

Musk also showcased around a dozen Optimus humanoid robots, outlining his vision for a future where these robots serve as friendly assistants, priced between $20,000 and $30,000. At the event, the robots mingled with guests, dancing like go-go dancers and even mixing drinks.

They appeared to interact with attendees, demonstrating different accents and voice personas on command. However, it remains unclear whether these abilities and the robots’ movements were being controlled remotely by a human operator.