Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to reveal the much-anticipated Cybercab, a robotaxi prototype, at an event on Thursday at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California. Musk has long championed self-driving technology, predicting that autonomous vehicles will not only save lives but also generate income for owners by being rented out for rides or even overnight stays.
However, Musk faces pressure to deliver on these promises, as doubts persist about Tesla’s ability to bring its ambitious self-driving plans to fruition. The project has seen multiple delays, originally scheduled for August and later moved to October due to last-minute design changes requested by Musk.
In a July post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk attributed the delay to changes in the vehicle’s front design, adding that the extra time would allow Tesla to showcase additional features. Despite this, industry analysts emphasize the need for tangible progress at Thursday’s event.
“There’s been a significant buildup after years of discussing the robotaxi concept without providing concrete details,” said Jessica Caldwell of Edmunds.com. She added that it would be disappointing if Tesla fails to present a developed concept and operational details.
Details about the Cybercab remain scarce. Reports suggest it will feature two seats and butterfly doors, using cameras and computing power to navigate instead of the Lidar sensors favored by competitors. Musk has hinted that some of the robotaxis will be owned by Tesla, while current Tesla owners may have the option to rent their cars through Tesla’s network when not in use.
Industry analysts expect on-site demos of the Cybercab at the event, alongside projections on scaling, costs per mile, and possibly a Tesla ride-share app.
The unveiling comes at a challenging time for Tesla, with some top executives recently departing, including the head of its new vehicles program. Critics argue Tesla might be better off focusing on a low-cost electric vehicle to strengthen its position against rising competition from other EV makers. Meanwhile, rivals like Waymo, a subsidiary of Google-parent Alphabet, have already launched driverless taxi services in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
Despite the high stakes and excitement surrounding the Cybercab, Musk has opted for a lower-profile media approach, leaving outlets like the BBC and Bloomberg without invitations to the event.
