Tesla unveils autonomous taxi: No steering wheel, no pedals, no driver

Last week, Tesla hosted its "We, Robot" event, where it unveiled several futuristic technological developments reminiscent of science fiction movies. The showcase featured an array of autonomous vehicles and robots that could soon become your household helpers. One of the evening's standout stars was the Cybercab—a fully autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Tesla CEO Elon Musk entered the stage inside the Cybercab, announcing that "there are 20 more like it." According to Musk, the vehicle is expected to be 10 to 20 times safer than human-driven cars, with significantly lower ride costs compared to public transportation.

What else was revealed about the Cybercab?The Cybercab is a dedicated autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, meaning it will require regulatory approval before going into production. The design is futuristic, featuring upward-opening butterfly doors and a compact cabin with seating for just two passengers. Notably, the Cybercab does not have a charging port—Musk explained that it charges wirelessly.

The Cybercab is powered by artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. Tesla has long abandoned the use of radar and other sensors that most other robotaxi services, like Waymo (operating in California), rely on. Musk noted that this allows the Cybercab to avoid expensive equipment, keeping Tesla's production costs low.

Musk envisions a future where individuals could manage fleets of robotaxis, much like "shepherds tending their flock," and earn money through a ride-sharing network. When asked about the Cybercab's availability, Musk said that Tesla will roll out fully autonomous, supervision-free driving in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California. He projected Cybercab production to begin in 2026, though it might be pushed to 2027.

In addition to the robotaxi, Musk briefly introduced the "Robovan"—an autonomous commercial vehicle that can transport up to 20 people or carry goods. He stated that the Robovan would further reduce travel costs by transporting large groups, such as sports teams.