Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s Cybercab concept during the “We, Robot” event, showcasing a two-seater vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals. Musk announced that the company has 21 Cybercabs and a total of 50 autonomous cars at the Warner Bros. studio in Burbank, California, where the event took place. He mentioned that consumers would be able to purchase a Tesla Cybercab for under $30,000 and that Tesla aims to start production before 2027. Musk also stated that Tesla plans to have “unsupervised FSD” in Texas and California next year for Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles.
FSD, or Full Self-Driving, is Tesla’s premium driver assistance system, currently only available in a supervised version that requires a human driver at the wheel. Musk expressed his optimism for the future, emphasizing the potential of the autonomous vehicles, including the Cybercab and a proposed Robovan capable of carrying up to 20 people or transporting goods. Both vehicles will utilize inductive charging, allowing them to recharge at stations without the need for plugging in. Musk has long been a proponent of autonomous cars, continuously setting and missing deadlines regarding their release to the market.
Despite past setbacks and missed deadlines related to autonomous technology, Musk remains confident in Tesla’s ability to advance in this field. He has previously promised significant advancements in autonomy, including robotaxi-ready vehicles on the road by 2020. At the recent event, Musk invited attendees to test ride the autonomous vehicles on location at the movie studio lots. He also showcased Optimus, a humanoid robot currently in development, and emphasized the potential impact of such robots in society.
The event marked Tesla’s first product unveiling since the Cybertruck in 2019. The Cybertruck, an angular steel pickup, began shipping to customers in late 2023 and has faced five voluntary recalls in the U.S. Since its debut. Musk’s presentation at the event highlighted Tesla’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement, as well as the company’s vision for a future that includes autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. The lively atmosphere of the event, with Musk encouraging attendees to “party” and showcasing dancing Optimus robots, demonstrated Tesla’s unique approach to product launches and engagement with its audience.
