Tesla's new Cybercab promises self-driving transportation for all

Jet Sanchez
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Tesla has officially introduced its robotaxi model dubbed 'Cybercab'.

Tesla has officially introduced its robotaxi model dubbed 'Cybercab'.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has officially introduced the world to his long-awaited autonomous vehicle, the Tesla Cybercab, a self-driving robotaxi aimed at revolutionising urban transport.

The vehicle, which draws inspiration from Tesla's infamous Cybertruck, has been designed to operate without a steering wheel or pedals.

This announcement marks a significant step in Tesla's ongoing efforts to bring fully autonomous vehicles to the mass market, following years of delays and missed deadlines.

However, Musk's ambitious vision still faces hurdles, particularly regulatory approval and market readiness.

Inspired by Cybertruck

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

The Tesla Cybercab boasts a sleek, futuristic design, featuring upward-opening butterfly doors and a minimalist interior designed to accommodate only two passengers.

Visually, the Cybercab shares strong design cues with the Cybertruck, which made headlines for its sharp, angular exterior and rugged appearance.

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

The Cybercab sports a futuristic, boxy aesthetic, highlighted by a full-width LED light bar at the front, which gives the EV a distinctive and modern look. This light bar stretches across the entire fascia, mirroring the bold design ethos of its pickup sibling.

The vehicle’s hood features sharp creases, further emphasising its edgy look. Its rear shoulders are pronounced, closely resembling Tesla's Model Y, while butterfly doors, a nod to supercars, enhance both style and practicality.

These doors are expected to improve the ease of entry and exit, which is particularly important for a taxi application, and signal that Tesla continues to push boundaries in both form and function.

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

Aero wheel covers are another distinctive feature. These covers, designed for efficiency, aim to reduce drag and extend the vehicle’s range - an essential attribute for a taxi meant to operate for extended periods.

Additionally, the absence of a rear window and wing mirrors emphasises its fully autonomous nature, relying instead on an advanced suite of sensors and cameras for navigation and safety.

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

Plus, the lack of traditional driving controls highlight Tesla's confidence in its autonomous technology, though it also signals the regulatory challenges the company will need to overcome before the Cybercab can hit the streets.

And unlike traditional electric vehicles (EVs), the Cybercab uses inductive charging to replenish its battery wirelessly, doing away with the need for a plug.

This aligns with Tesla's ongoing push towards efficiency and convenience, removing one more aspect of manual intervention from the vehicle's operation.

Safer and cheaper transportation?

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

Musk is optimistic about the safety and affordability of autonomous vehicles, asserting that they will be "10-20 times safer than human-driven cars".

The Cybercab will be equipped with Tesla’s most advanced Full-Self Driving (FSD) software, which the automaker plans to begin rolling out in unsupervised versions as early as next year.

The FSD system has been at the forefront of Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions, and the company claims it has made significant progress in recent years.

However, despite numerous updates and improvements, FSD has yet to achieve full autonomy without the need for human oversight.

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

The Cybercab will likely serve as a critical proving ground for the technology, with Tesla aiming to showcase the capabilities of its self-driving systems in a fully autonomous taxi that could eventually operate without any human input whatsoever.

Currently, about 50 prototype Cybercabs have already been built, giving Tesla a head start in refining the vehicle's design and software.

According to Musk, the cost of using a Tesla Cybercab could drop to approximately $0.12 per km, compared to $0.62 per km for urban public transport options like buses.

"Think about the cumulative time that people spend in a car," Musk said at Tesla's recent “We, Robot” event in California. "And the time they will get back that they can now spend on their books or watching a movie or doing work or whatever."

Tesla aims to begin rolling out full autonomous driving in Texas and California as early as next year, with mass production of the Cybercab slated for 2026.

However, Musk hinted that delays could push the launch as far as 2027.

Tesla Cybercab New Zealand

Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that Tesla plans to offer the CyberCab at a price point under US$30,000 (around NZ$49,000).

This is a significant departure from the high cost often associated with autonomous EVs, as well as Tesla’s existing lineup.

If Tesla can hit this price target, the Cybercab could reach a tipping point, providing consumers with an affordable, driverless transport option that also contributes to reducing emissions.

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