Tesla unveils the Robotaxi, a fully autonomous EV for under USD 30,000
Tesla has unveiled the “Robotaxi” at the “We, Robot” event. This self-driving, fully electric vehicle – set for production in 2026 – offers a departure from traditional cars by eliminating the steering wheel and pedals.
Tesla says it will be priced below USD 30,000 to make self-driving technology more accessible to the masses while redefining how we view car ownership.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, used the event to elaborate on the broader implications of autonomous driving. According to Musk, the current state of transportation is inefficient, costly, and unsustainable.
One of his key points was that conventional cars remain idle for about 90% of the time. The Robotaxi, by contrast, is designed to operate around the clock, maximizing vehicle utility and, in Musk’s words, making cars “ten times more valuable” in service.
At the core of the Robotaxi’s appeal is the promise of time efficiency. By eliminating the need for parking, charging, or even cleaning, Tesla’s fully autonomous vehicle gives users more time to focus on other tasks while the car manages itself. Musk drew parallels to the evolution of elevators, which once required operators but now function with the push of a button.
The Robotaxi is built with simplicity in mind. Butterfly doors open to a minimalist cabin devoid of the usual steering controls. Instead, passengers are treated to spacious seating and a large touchscreen interface, all while a massive boot in the rear ensures practicality.
One of the major advancements is the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. Tesla claims that this iteration of FSD can operate unsupervised – far beyond the current systems that require human intervention. The Robotaxi will also feature inductive charging, doing away with the need for traditional charging ports.
Will of these work out by 2026? Only time will tell.
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