On Thursday, Tesla CEO and noted fancy leaper Elon Musk will take the stage to showcase the company’s robotaxi plans, specifically the “Cybercab.” Investors and fans are eager to see if a working prototype or other promising signs will be revealed to demonstrate Tesla’s ability to overcome technological and regulatory challenges. The livestream of the event can be watched on X at 10PM ET. With the Cybercab, Musk envisions a fully autonomous vehicle running on a Tesla ridesharing network, allowing owners to share their cars for use as autonomous cabs, similar to a blend of Airbnb and Uber. Musk has been discussing the robotaxi plan for years, and it gained significance when Tesla decided to prioritize the autonomous ridesharing project over the entry-level EV Model 2. Unlike competitors Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox, Tesla’s automation relies on cameras and AI, with aims to rapidly advance the technology to succeed in the challenging industry. However, given Musk’s ambitious promises in the past, it’s wise to approach the event with caution. As of 2024, Tesla has yet to have a single robotaxi on the road, lacking an autonomous permit in California for testing. The livestream will offer a glimpse of what Musk has planned, airing at 10PM ET / 7PM PT on Thursday.
