Tesla's Vision: The Future of Autonomous Transport

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Tesla's 'We, Robot' Event: Everything Revealed in 8 Minutes

CNET

Oct 11, 2024

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Science & Technology

Elon Musk Arrives in Autonomous Robotaxi

  1. Elon Musk arrives at the 'We, Robot' event in Los Angeles, showcasing Tesla's advancements in autonomous technology. The event is designed to highlight Tesla's latest innovations in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
  2. The main highlight of the event is the unveiling of the Robotaxi, a fully autonomous vehicle priced under $30,000. This vehicle represents Tesla's commitment to making autonomous driving accessible to a broader audience.
  3. In addition to the Robotaxi, Elon Musk introduces the Robovan, a new vehicle capable of carrying 20 passengers. This vehicle is part of Tesla's strategy to expand its autonomous vehicle offerings beyond personal cars.
  4. Elon Musk also presents updates to Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus. These updates demonstrate Tesla's ongoing efforts to enhance robotic capabilities and integrate them into everyday life.
  5. The event emphasizes Tesla's vision for an autonomous future, where transportation is more efficient, affordable, and widely available.

Elon Musk Announces New Robotaxi

  1. Elon Musk arrived at the event in a fully autonomous vehicle called the Cyber Cab, highlighting Tesla's advancements in driverless technology. The event showcased 50 fully autonomous cars, including Model Ys and Cyber Cabs, all operating without drivers, steering wheels, or pedals.
  2. The Cyber Cab is designed to offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional mass transit, with operating costs projected to be around 20 cents per mile, significantly lower than the average cost of a bus per mile. The total cost, including taxes, is expected to be 30 to 40 cents per mile.
  3. Tesla plans to sell the Cyber Cab for under $30,000, making it an affordable option for consumers. The company aims to start fully autonomous, unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) operations in Texas and California next year, using Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
  4. Production of the Cyber Cab, optimized for U.S. transport, is expected to begin by 2026, with a target to be operational before 2027. The vehicle offers a unique experience with no traditional controls, enhancing the futuristic feel of autonomous travel.
  5. Tesla is introducing inductive charging for the Robotaxi, eliminating the need for physical plugs. This feature allows the vehicle to charge by simply positioning itself over an inductive charger, streamlining the charging process and aligning with the autonomous nature of the vehicle.

Robovan Debuts at Tesla Event

  1. The Robovan, also known as the Robo Van, is a new vehicle introduced by Tesla, designed to carry up to 20 passengers or transport goods within a city. It aims to address high-density transport needs, making it ideal for transporting sports teams or reducing travel costs to as low as 5 to 10 cents per mile.
  2. The Robovan's design is intended to be striking and noticeable on the streets, enhancing its appeal and functionality for urban transport.
  3. Tesla's technological advancements in batteries, power electronics, advanced motors, gearboxes, software, and AI inference computers are applicable to both their vehicles and humanoid robots.
  4. The Optimus robot, a humanoid robot developed by Tesla, benefits from the same technological innovations used in Tesla's cars, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of Tesla's technology across different platforms.

Elon Musk Shows Off Optimus Robot Updates

  1. Elon Musk discusses significant progress in the development of the Optimus robot, highlighting its evolution from a concept involving a person in a robot suit to a more advanced prototype.
  2. The Optimus robot is envisioned as a personal assistant that could be owned by anyone, drawing comparisons to fictional robots like R2D2 and C3PO from Star Wars.
  3. Musk predicts that, at scale, the cost of an Optimus robot could be between $20,000 and $30,000, potentially making it more affordable than a car in the long term.
  4. The robot is designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including teaching, babysitting, walking dogs, mowing lawns, grocery shopping, and serving drinks, among others.
  5. Musk expresses confidence that the Optimus robot could become the biggest product ever, due to its versatility and potential impact on daily life.