Musk Unveils Robotaxi, Pledges Availability by 2027

AFP/APP

Los Angeles: Elon Musk has unveiled a new robotaxi prototype capable of self-driving, predicting that it will be available by 2027. This announcement comes nearly a decade after Musk first promised an autonomous vehicle.

The Tesla CEO described the fully electric car, which lacks a steering wheel or pedals, as a vehicle that will cost under $30,000. It will feature wireless inductive charging technology and is claimed to be “10 to 20 times safer” than human-driven cars.

“You can think of the car in an autonomous world as being like just a little lounge,” Musk told an audience at Warner Brothers Studio near Los Angeles. “You’re just sitting in a comfortable little lounge, and you can do whatever you want while you’re in this comfortable little lounge, and when you get out, you will be at your destination.”

Although details about the vehicle were sparse, Musk mentioned that Tesla has already built 50 prototypes, featuring gullwing doors reminiscent of the DeLorean from the “Back to the Future” films. He also stated that Tesla plans to begin “fully autonomous, unsupervised” driving in Texas and California next year with existing models before moving to production of the so-called “cybercab.”

“I tend to be a little optimistic with time frames, but in 2026, so yeah, before 2027. Let me put it that way,” Musk said.

The event also showcased a large passenger vehicle dubbed “The Robovan,” which Musk described as resembling a massive moving toaster. This vehicle, which has no steering wheel or pedals, can accommodate up to 20 people or be adapted for cargo transport, although no production timeline was provided.

Additionally, Musk introduced dancing humanoid robots named Optimus, which he claimed could perform menial tasks and offer companionship. He anticipates the retail price for these robots to range from $20,000 to $30,000, though he did not specify a timeline for their availability.

Musk’s ambitious promises and loyal fanbase have significantly contributed to Tesla’s position as one of the world’s most valuable companies. However, his reputation has become increasingly controversial.

Following his acquisition of Twitter—now rebranded as X—Musk has faced backlash over staffing cuts and his promotion of Republican Donald Trump, leading to criticism from former supporters.

Musk’s announcement about the robotaxi has been a long time coming; he first claimed in 2016 that a fully automated car would be ready in two years and subsequently suggested in 2017 that customers would be able to sleep while the car drove them around by 2019.

Despite advancements in vehicle automation, many automakers have struggled with fully autonomous technology, as self-driving cars must still navigate unexpected events that human drivers can manage.

Other companies like Google’s Waymo and General Motors’ Cruise have conducted heavily regulated robotaxi pilot programs for years, and any Tesla efforts will likely face similar regulatory challenges and public skepticism.

Immediate reactions to Musk’s latest unveiling were mixed. Some users on X criticized the announcement as unrealistic, while others expressed optimism about Tesla’s future prospects. “Tesla self-driving ‘Robovan.’ The future looks promising,” tweeted one enthusiastic user.