Photo: JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the prototypes of a self-driving taxi, the Cybercab, and a larger vehicle, the Robovan, at a robotaxi event held at the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank, California. The Cybercab, a futuristic, metallic silver vehicle, lacks steering wheels, pedals, and rearview mirrors. The Robovan, on the other hand, is designed to transport goods or up to 20 people. Both vehicles are part of Musk's vision to revolutionize travel and put fully autonomous vehicles on the road by next year.
The Cybercab is expected to be in production no later than 2027 and will be available for purchase for about $30,000. Musk did not specify if the Cybercab would rely on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology, or FSD, which is already deployed in many Teslas on the road but is not capable of operating without a driver present.
Musk also showcased a humanoid robot named Optimus at the event, which he envisions as capable of performing tasks such as grocery shopping, babysitting, and watering plants. He believes that automated labor will make goods and services less expensive and more accessible, leading to an "age of abundance."