Elon Musk presented Tesla robotaxi prototypes

The robotaxi is shaped like a smaller, sleeker two-seat version of the Tesla Cybertruck pickup truck. Guests were able to test Cybercab directly at the event. According to one of the participants, there were about 20 unmanned vehicles on the territory of the study, writes TechCrunch.

According to Musk, the cost of running the Cybercab will be very low: around $0.20 per mile, which could make it an alternative to conventional public transportation. The price of the car will be less than $30,000 and anyone can buy it, the billionaire said. He expects production of the Cybercab to begin “before 2027.”

The Robovan prototype, an autonomous van capable of transporting up to 20 people and cargo, was also presented at the event. No release dates for the vehicle were announced. Musk said such developments will change the face of cities in the future.

Robovan has a retro-futuristic design with tinted windows throughout. Inside there is space for seated and standing passengers.

Also participating in the presentation were the Optimus humanoid robots, which Tesla presented for the first time in 2022. Musk said that in the future they could become people’s assistants and would cost between 20 and 30 thousand dollars. During the event, the robots danced and interacted with guests, and also demonstrated different accents and voices, TechCrunch writes.

As the publication notes, the presentation of Cybercab and Robovan took place against the background of a not very favorable period for Tesla: previously the company had postponed the launch of an inexpensive electric car for 25 thousand dollars and laid off some employees. In early October it became known that Tesla had withdrawn its cheapest electric car, the Model 3 Standard Range, from sale for $39,000. Now the most affordable Tesla car is the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive, which costs 42.5 thousand dollars.