Tesla Unveils Cybercab Robotaxi and Surprising Robovan at 'We, Robot' Event

Taylor Brooks

Taylor Brooks

March 18, 2025 · 3 min read
Tesla Unveils Cybercab Robotaxi and Surprising Robovan at 'We, Robot' Event

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has finally delivered on his long-promised autonomous driving technology, unveiling the company's first fully driverless vehicle, the Cybercab, at the "We, Robot" event. The futuristic-looking robotaxi is a purpose-built autonomous vehicle, lacking a steering wheel or pedals, and is designed to revolutionize the transportation industry. In a surprise move, Musk also revealed a new transport vehicle, the Robovan, which can be configured as "mass transit" or a cargo carrier.

The Cybercab, which was showcased at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, features doors that open upward like butterfly wings and a small cabin with only enough space for two passengers. Notably, the vehicle charges inductively to regain power wirelessly, eliminating the need for a plug. Musk announced that the Cybercab won't go into production until 2026, but he plans to start fully autonomous Model 3 and Model Y trips in Texas and California "next year."

The Robovan, which was the surprise of the night, is a sleek, train engine-like vehicle that can carry up to 20 people or be used to transport goods. Musk's emphasis on the "bo" in robovan suggests that the vehicle is designed to be highly versatile and adaptable. The Robovan's capabilities and potential uses are still unclear, but it marks a significant expansion of Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.

The "We, Robot" event was a highly anticipated milestone in Tesla's quest to develop and deploy autonomous driving technology. Musk has been promising a driverless Tesla vehicle for years, and the unveiling of the Cybercab and Robovan marks a significant step forward in this effort. However, the event also raised questions about the safety and regulatory approval of these vehicles, as well as the feasibility of Musk's ambitious timeline for deployment.

In addition to the Cybercab and Robovan, Tesla also showcased its Optimus robots, which were seen mingling with guests, serving drinks, and even dancing to Daft Punk. While the robots were a highlight of the event, they were later revealed to be humans in disguise, sparking some criticism and skepticism about the authenticity of the demonstration.

The implications of Tesla's autonomous driving technology are far-reaching and could have significant impacts on the transportation industry, urban planning, and society as a whole. As the company continues to develop and refine its technology, it will be important to monitor its progress and consider the potential consequences of widespread adoption.

In the meantime, investors are already responding to the news, with Tesla shares trading down as much as six percent premarket. The company's ability to deliver on its promises and overcome the technical and regulatory hurdles to widespread adoption will be closely watched in the coming months and years.

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