Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, unveiled a highly anticipated robotaxi model featuring two gull-wing doors and devoid of traditional controls—no steering wheel or pedals—during a much-anticipated event on Thursday. This development is a significant step toward what Musk believes will be a key driver of long-term growth for the electric vehicle manufacturer.
Arriving at the stage in one of the robotaxis, dubbed the Cybercab, Musk announced that production is set to commence in 2026, with prices expected to be under $30,000 per unit. He emphasized the economical operation of the vehicles, stating they would cost just 20 cents per mile to run.
“Most of the time, cars are essentially idle,” Musk remarked during his presentation. “However, if they are autonomous, their utilization could increase fivefold, perhaps even tenfold.”
The buzz surrounding the event was palpable on social media, with fans sharing screenshots of invitations and speculating on potential announcements. Nonetheless, both investors and analysts have expressed concerns regarding the technological challenges ahead, tempering their expectations.
Among the attendees was Stellantis chairperson John Elkann, along with Musk’s brother, Kimbal, as highlighted in a social media post.
Musk envisions a fleet of self-driving Tesla taxis, the Cybercabs, which passengers can summon via an app. Individual Tesla owners will also have the opportunity to earn income by listing their vehicles as robotaxis on the platform.
Held at the Warner Bros. studio near Los Angeles, the event was titled “We, Robot,” a playful nod to Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” short stories. This title reflects Musk’s assertion that Tesla should be perceived more as an AI robotics company than a traditional automaker.
Attendees included investors, stock analysts, and Tesla enthusiasts, all eager to know how swiftly Tesla can scale up robotaxi production, the associated costs, and, most importantly, the potential profitability of this taxi venture.
Additionally, there will be keen interest in the advancements Tesla has made with its partial automation software, branded as Full Self-Driving, which industry observers anticipate will be critical for the robotaxi fleet.
Musk may also provide insights into more affordable iterations of Tesla’s existing electric vehicles, along with updates on the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus.