A few hours ago Elon Musk wrapped up the much anticipated ‘We, Robot’ event at the Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles. Apart from the previously teased Cybercab, Musk presented the 20 person Robovan. And finally he showed the updates on humanoid robot Optimus, aimed at both industrial and domestic settings. AI Vision is at the heart of these innovations and the first robotaxis will take to the streets of Texas and California next year.
The Robotaxi
One of the most anticipated reveals was the fully autonomous Robotaxi, also known as the Cyber Cab. During the presentation, Musk highlighted the vehicle’s ability to operate without a driver, steering wheel, or pedals. Tesla demonstrated this with 50 autonomous vehicles on display, showcasing their advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
Musk claimed that the cost of operating a Robotaxi could drop to as low as 20 cents per mile, with the final cost to consumers expected to be around 30-40 cents per mile. This positions the Robotaxi as a cheaper alternative to traditional public transport, which Musk stated costs about a dollar per mile on average. Tesla plans to launch these vehicles at a price below $30,000, making autonomous transportation more accessible.
Tesla also introduced inductive charging for the Robotaxi, eliminating the need for manual plugging. The vehicle charges by simply parking over an inductive pad, streamlining the charging process and enhancing the futuristic appeal of Tesla’s autonomous fleet. Production of the Robotaxi is expected to begin by 2026, with unsupervised FSD tests starting in Texas and California as early as next year. ‘With autonomy you get your time back’
The Robovan
Tesla also debuted the Robovan, which Musk described as a solution for transporting both people and goods in high-density urban environments. The Robovan, capable of carrying up to 20 people, is designed for tasks like transporting sports teams or handling urban goods delivery. Musk stated that the cost per mile could drop to as low as 5 to 10 cents, potentially revolutionizing the economics of group transportation.
Although Tesla didn’t provide a precise launch date for the Robovan, its introduction signals the company’s intent to enter larger-scale, mass-transit applications. The van could play a pivotal role in reducing traffic congestion and transportation costs for urban commuters and businesses alike. “We want to change the look of the roads. The future should look like the future.”
Optimus Humanoid Robot
Musk continued after the Robovan announcement: ‘Everything we developed for our cars also applies to humanoid robots’. And he presented the udates to Optimus. The Optimus robot is built using the same technology developed for Tesla’s electric vehicles, including advanced batteries, motors, and AI software. Musk highlighted that the transition from autonomous vehicles to humanoid robots is a natural progression, using Tesla’s expertise in robotics to create a multi-functional, human-like assistant. “Everything you can think of, it can do.”
Musk revealed that Tesla aims to make the Optimus affordable for consumers, with a projected long-term cost of $20,000 to $30,000. He envisions the robot performing a wide range of tasks, from household chores like mowing the lawn and getting groceries, to more personal roles such as walking pets or even serving drinks. The robot could also potentially be used as a teacher or babysitter, demonstrating Tesla’s ambition to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday life.
While the timeline for a widespread rollout remains unclear, Musk expressed optimism about the future capabilities of the Optimus robot, suggesting that it could eventually become one of Tesla’s biggest products, outstripping even the company’s vehicle lineup.
You can watch the entire show here (starts at 52 min.)
