Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to unveil the highly anticipated Cybercab, the company’s robotaxi prototype, at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California, on Thursday. Musk has long been fascinated by self-driving technology, making bold claims about its potential to save lives and generate income for owners through ride-sharing.
As he prepares for the “We, Robot” event, Musk faces pressure to address ongoing skepticism about Tesla’s ability to deliver on its ambitious plans. The project has seen delays, originally scheduled for August but pushed to October. Musk attributed the latest delay to last-minute design changes.
Industry analysts are eager for tangible progress on the Cybercab, noting the buildup of expectations after prolonged discussions without concrete details. Reports suggest the Cybercab will feature two seats and butterfly doors, relying on cameras and computing power instead of laser-based sensors.
Musk has indicated that some robotaxis in Tesla’s network may be company-owned, while Tesla owners could rent out their vehicles when not in use. Analysts from Wedbush anticipate live demos of the prototype and are looking for details on scaling, costs, and a ride-share app.
This event comes amid recent departures of key executives at Tesla, prompting some to suggest a focus on low-cost electric vehicles to compete with other EV makers. Tesla aims to challenge competitors like Waymo, which has already established a presence in autonomous ridesharing.
Interestingly, Musk appears to be adopting a more subdued approach to media coverage for this unveiling, as many outlets, including the BBC and Bloomberg, were not granted invitations.
