Tesla Cybercab: five takeaways as Elon Musk unveils robotaxi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the company’s latest vehicle, the Cybercab, a fully autonomous self-driving car with no steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedal.

Musk showcased Tesla’s latest innovations at the “We, Robot” event held at Warner Bros. Studios in Southern California. The spotlight was on the Cybercab, a self-driving taxi that he says will revolutionize urban transportation.

Additionally, Tesla introduced the family-oriented Cybervan, and Optimus, a humanoid robot for the home.

Here’s what you need to know about the Cybercab:

1. How Much Will Cybercab Cost?

Musk announced that the Cybercab is projected to be available for less than $30,000. This pricing strategy, he said, is intended to make autonomous transportation accessible to a broader audience, potentially disrupting the ride-hailing industry.

“You can think of it as individualized mass transit,” he said.

He added that the operating cost of the Cybercab, over time, will be about 20 cents per mile, comparing it to the average operating cost of a bus per mile per city, which he claimed was about a dollar per mile.

“Price, including taxes and everything else, probably ends up being around 30, 40 cents a mile,” he added.

2. When Will Cybercab Be Available?

Production of the Cybercab is expected to begin in 2026, with availability anticipated before 2027.

Musk also mentioned that Tesla plans to introduce full self-driving (FSD) capabilities in California and Texas as early as next year, pending regulatory approvals. This, however will be with the Model 3 (introduced in 2017) and Model Y (introduced in 2020).

“We expect to be in production with the Cybercab, which is really, highly optimized for autonomous transport, in probably—well, I tend to be a little optimistic with time frames—in 2026,” said Musk.

“Before 2027, let me put it that way,” he added, explaining that the plan is to produce the vehicle “in very high volume.”

3. Where Will the Cybercab be Available?

Discussing what regions the Cybercab and the robotaxi experience via the Model 3 and Model Y will be available, the Tesla CEO revealed that the autonomous vehicle will come to the U.S. first, followed by other regions globally.

Musk added that this will all be subject to regulatory approval in each region.

The time frame, however, may not be very certain, as Musk added: “Let’s not get nuanced here.”

4. A New Business Model for Cabdrivers?

Musk said he envisions the autonomous Cybercab to be used by cabdrivers in a way where they would “manage a fleet of cars,” managing ten to twenty Cybercabs, “taking care of them like a shepherd tends their flock.”

“I think it’s going to be a glorious future. I think it’s going to be something really special,” the Tesla CEO added.

5. Musk Promises Cybercab Will Be Safer Than Human Driven Cabs

Musk claimed that autonomous cars will make transport “ten times safer” than before, drawing an analogy between fully autonomous vehicles and automated elevators, which he asserted are much safer than when they have a human elevator operator.

The Tesla CEO went on to say that autonomous vehicles will “save lives and prevent injuries” compared to human-driven cars, adding that the transition to fully autonomous, unsupervised self-driving will be a significant improvement in safety over currently supervised self-driving systems.

Cybervan Revealed Alongside Cybercab

In addition to the Cybercab, Tesla unveiled the Cybervan. This larger autonomous vehicle is designed to carry up to 20 passengers or transport goods. Like the Cybercab, Musk pointed out it lacks a steering wheel and pedals, emphasizing full autonomy.

The Cybervan is, he said, intended to address high-density transportation needs, potentially serving as a solution for group travel or commercial use. Musk did not provide specific details regarding its production timeline or pricing.

The Optimus Humanoid Robot

The event also featured Optimus, a humanoid robot that Musk has previously suggested could become a significant product for Tesla. Several Optimus robots were demonstrated on stage at the event, with five bots illuminated on stage while others interacting with attendees by serving drinks and posing for photos.

Musk indicated that Optimus is making progress, though specific details about its capabilities, applications, or release date were not discussed.