Late Thursday evening, Elon Musk will finally present prototypes of autonomous taxis. Tesla’s CEO will have a lot to prove, because In his opinion, the robotaxi opens a new era of transport.
In Musk’s vision, Tesla’s robotaxi fleet will operate without drivers but with paying passengers. The robot will earn money for its owners while they are sleeping or at work.
Musk’s narrative that autonomous taxis are just around the corner has been a long one. However, in recent months, as the deadline for the prototype presentation approached, investors increased the price of the company’s shares.
Fulfillment of these expectations will require credible plans to overtake companies like Alphabet Inc.-backed Waymo.which is a leader in driverless rides.
If it turns out that Musk’s newest child does not meet investors’ expectations, it may have negative consequences for the share price.
Cybercab Secrets
Musk called the event’s flagship product purpose-built Tesla’s robotaxi, or Cybercab. It is expected to differ from the automaker’s other models in that kdrivers will not need to be present to operate the car.
Unlike competing General Motors Cruise and Waymo vehicles, which additionally use laser sensors, Musk’s robot taxi is expected to use only a combination of cameras and computing power for navigation on the roads. Musk considered additional laser sensors too expensive and unnecessary.
The robotaxi project is still a closely held secret. However, Bloomberg learned from people familiar with the project that the vehicle will have two front seats and two doors opening upwards, like butterfly wings.
Robovan – an expected surprise
There is a chance that Tesla will also reveal another new car at the robot taxi presentation – some kind of robovan that can carry a dozen people or will be used as an autonomous delivery vehicle.
Artificial intelligence to improve
For Cybercab to work, Tesla will have to make great strides in the field of artificial intelligencebecause the system currently offered to customers, which the company sells as fully autonomous, i.e. FSD, is not fully autonomous. These functions require constant driver supervision.
Assuming Tesla can make the necessary technological breakthroughs to To launch an autonomous transportation service, the company will need regulatory approval.