Tesla is set to unveil its long-anticipated robotaxi at a Hollywood studio Thursday evening, a moment seen as pivotal for the company as it aims to redefine urban transportation.
The event, titled “We, Robot,” will feature the introduction of the “Cybercab,” a vehicle that may forgo traditional controls such as a steering wheel and pedals.
Cybercabs will, in theory, allow their owners to make money carrying passengers when they don’t need to use it.
Expectations surrounding the event are high.
Tesla has faced difficulties selling its aging lineup of electric vehicles and is using the robotaxi debut to signal a shift in focus.
The unveiling comes as Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, attempts to recast the company’s image from primarily an electric vehicle manufacturer to a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Musk has a history of setting ambitious timelines for Tesla’s autonomous technology, often falling short.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software has faced multiple investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), raising questions as to whether the technology is ever fully safe.
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Not all analysts are convinced that Tesla will meet the high expectations.
Many have expressed skepticism about the readiness of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
Each new cybertaxi is rumoured to feature no wheels or pedals.
Artificial intelligence will instead take center-stage, emphasizing the uses of data and robotics to redefine Tesla’s next generation of vehicles.
The company’s Full Self-Driving software, launched nearly a decade ago, has yet to deliver on its promise of enabling cars to drive themselves without human intervention.
Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who studies autonomous vehicles, remains unconvinced.
“I don’t know why the headlines continue to be ‘What will Tesla announce?’ rather than ‘Why does Tesla think we’re so stupid?'” Smith said.
He doubts that the company will showcase technology capable of safely navigating without human supervision.
Smith pointed out that if Tesla had made significant progress, it would demonstrate the system’s capabilities on public roads rather than in controlled environments.
“Tesla has been giving us that demo every year, and it’s not reassuring us,” he added.
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The introduction of the Cybercab marks another attempt by Tesla to bring a fleet of robotaxis to market, a goal Musk has been touting for over five years.
In 2019, Musk promised that a fully autonomous fleet would be operational by the end of 2020.
While some anticipate a significant technological breakthrough, others expect the event to appeal primarily to Tesla’s most loyal supporters.
These predictions have so far fallen short, but some, including Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, remain optimistic.
Ives called the robotaxi debut a “new chapter of growth” for Tesla and anticipates the announcement will include updates on Full Self-Driving, artificial intelligence breakthroughs, and a phased rollout strategy for the robotaxi service.
Bullish on Tesla stock, he also expects the company to introduce a ride-sharing app and give a demonstration of its Optimus humanoid robot, slated for release in 2026.
The event could be significant for Democrat customers who have been unhappy with Musk’s political endorsements.
Trump Media stock spiked 15 percent after the CEO appeared at the former President’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania—a must-win state for either candidate.
However, the same impact can’t be said for Musk’s ventures when he posts to his platform, X, in support of Trump.
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Meanwhile, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology has come under scrutiny from U.S. regulators.
NHTSA’s probe includes incidents where the technology has reportedly failed to prevent accidents, including a fatal crash in Washington state last year.
In April of last year, a 28-year-old motorcyclist died at the hands of a Tesla equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, in Snohomish County.
According to authorities, the Tesla was operating in FSD mode when it rear-ended a motorcyclist.
The driver reportedly admitted to being on their phone at the time of the crash.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
