On Thursday, at Warner Bros studio lot, a self-driving Tesla robotaxi pulled up to a crowd eagerly waiting for Elon Musk. The car smoothly stopped, and out stepped Musk to kick off the “We, Robot” event.
For the next 20 minutes, Musk showcased the future of self-driving transportation. The robotaxi he arrived in is called the Cybercab, which borrows its futuristic design from Tesla’s recently launched Cybertruck.
The Cybercab is a sleek two-seater with no steering wheel or pedals, fully autonomous. It’s expected to cost under $30,000 and could be available by 2026. However, with Tesla’s track record of delayed releases (like the Cybertruck), it’s best not to rely too heavily on those timelines.
At the event, over 20 Cybercabs were cruising around the lot, along with 50 other autonomous cars, offering rides to attendees curious about what the future of robot-driven transportation might feel like.
While the Cybercab impressed, the Robovan stole the show. This luxury electric vehicle, resembling a futuristic rail car, can seat up to 20 passengers comfortably. It’s like a sleek, eco-friendly bus, minus the emissions of traditional city buses.
Though the Robovan’s interior looked luxurious, it’s uncertain how long that would last with everyday use. Let’s face it—public vehicles with pristine white seats rarely stay that way for long.
The Robovan is still in its early stages and might not hit the road for several years. By then, the design could change entirely—or the project could be scrapped. Who knows? Maybe by then, we’ll all be on Mars, another Musk vision.
In the end, the “We, Robot” event gave us a glimpse of an exciting future—one filled with dreams and possibilities. And if anything, dreaming about the future of transportation is always worth the ride.
