Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the long-anticipated robotaxi, named “Cybercab,” featuring two gull-wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals, during a highly publicized event on Thursday. Musk introduced this futuristic vehicle as part of his vision for Tesla’s long-term growth, positioning it as a game-changer for the electric vehicle industry.
Arriving on stage in one of the Cybercabs, Musk announced that production is set to begin in 2026, with the vehicles expected to retail for under $30,000. He also highlighted the low operational cost, estimating it at just 20 cents per mile.
“Most cars spend the majority of their time idle,” Musk explained. “But if they’re autonomous, they could be utilized five or even ten times more.”
The event generated significant excitement on social media, with speculation and anticipation building around the potential announcements. However, investors and analysts have raised concerns about the technical challenges and tempered their expectations.
A social media post revealed that Stellantis chairperson John Elkann and Musk’s younger brother, Kimbal Musk, were in attendance.
Musk envisions a fleet of self-driving Tesla taxis, which passengers will be able to hail via an app. Additionally, Tesla owners will have the option to list their vehicles as robotaxis on the app, generating income from their cars.
Held at the Warner Bros studio near Los Angeles, California, the event was titled “We, Robot”—a nod to Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” stories and Musk’s broader vision of Tesla as an “AI robotics company” rather than merely an automaker.
The event attracted investors, analysts, and Tesla enthusiasts, many of whom were eager to learn how quickly Tesla can scale robotaxi production, the associated costs, and the profitability of the venture.
Also under scrutiny was the progress of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software, which is expected to be central to the robotaxi platform. Attendees were also looking forward to possible updates on cheaper Tesla EV models and developments related to Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus.
