The current era we are living in is one of technology and more of automation. People are obsessed with technology, and the fact that it performs its functions automatically has become a part of almost everyone’s life and that many companies pursue in their products.
One of these automated technologies is robotics. Today there are autonomous vehicles on the market powered by high-end intelligent systems based on AI with machine learning and IoT devices. Because people are so excited about autonomous vehicles, A novelty called robotaxi has emerged and among all the companies, one in particular stands out above all: Tesla led by Elon Musk.
The controversial businessman, known for his bold projects and controversial statements, has once again captured the world’s attention with his latest creation: Tesla’s Cybercab.
Going by parts, a robotaxi is defined as a fully autonomous vehicle that can pick up and drop off passengers at their destinations without the need for a driver to be inside the car. In simple terms, a robotaxi is a self-driving version of a taxi or an Uber.
With this as a basis, What new features does the Cybercab bring? How does it work? And, most importantly, is the world ready for this change in the way we travel?
What is Cybercab?
The Cybercab, or Tesla robotaxi, is Elon Musk’s bet on the future of urban transportation. Imagine a fully autonomous electric car, designed specifically for transporting passengers in urban environments. It is not a car adapted to be autonomous; It is a vehicle designed from scratch to operate without human intervention.
The first thing that catches your attention about the Cybercab is its futuristic design. With an appearance that seems straight out of a science fiction movie, this vehicle certainly does not go unnoticed, very much in the Cybertruck style. But the most surprising thing is not its exterior, but what is missing inside: there is no steering wheel, no pedals, nor any other control that a human driver could use..
Tesla
The Cybercab is designed to carry two passengers comfortably. Its doors open automatically, and the interior is optimized to offer a comfortable and safe travel experience. Touch screens allow passengers to control aspects such as temperature or entertainment during the trip.
The most striking thing is that it does not have a steering wheel or pedals, which means that You will need a green light from the regulators before you can drive.. Musk claims that this vehicle will charge wirelessly, eliminating the need for plugs.
But the real magic of the Cybercab is in its electronic brain. Using a combination of cameras, sensors and sophisticated artificial intelligence software, the vehicle is capable of navigating city streets autonomously, avoiding obstacles, respecting traffic signs and taking passengers to their destination as expected. most efficient possible.
Tesla plans to launch fully autonomous driving in Texas and California next year, while production of the Cybercab is planned for 2026, although Musk admits it could be delayed until 2027. The price? Less than $30,000, according to the businessman.
How would this type of transportation that Musk already envisions on the streets work?
The operation of the Cybercab is based on what Tesla calls “computer vision” and end-to-end machine learning. Instead of relying on a combination of sensors such as LIDAR (which uses lasers to measure distances), the Cybercab relies primarily on cameras and a powerful image processing system.
This approach, according to Musk, allows the vehicle to “see” and understand its surroundings in a similar way to how a human driver would. Cameras capture images of the environment in real time, and AI software interprets them to make driving decisions.
But the Cybercab doesn’t just see; also learn. As more of these vehicles hit the streets, they will share their experiences and learnings, constantly improving their ability to navigate different situations and environments.
One of the most innovative features of the Cybercab is its charging system. Instead of having to plug in, these vehicles use an induction charging system. This means they can “refuel” by simply parking on a special loading platform, which significantly increases their operating time.
What is the potential impact of this vehicle on the sector?
Musk claims that these robotaxis could drastically reduce the cost of transportation, making it more accessible to everyone.
According to this, The cost per mile will be only 20 cents, compared to the dollar it currently costs to travel by city bus. Figures that, if met, would represent a true revolution in transportation.
Furthermore, being electric and autonomous vehicles, Cybercabs promise to greatly reduce emissions and improve road safety. Musk claims these vehicles could be up to 10 times safer than human-driven cars, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.
However, it is fair to say that the impact of Cybercab goes beyond security and the economy. Its large-scale adoption could 100% change how cities look. With less need for parking and more efficient use of the space available, cities could completely change to be more accessible and suitable for people and other types of transport.
It is Elon Musk who is behind it, so there will be great challenges
As you have already read, they expect production to begin between 2026 and 2027. However, and as has already happened on other occasions, Elon Musk always dreams very high and not having drivers is not going to be an easy task.
On the one hand, the concept of “unsupervised FSD” must be clarified. Currently, Tesla’s FSD system requires a human to be attentive and ready to take the wheel at a moment’s notice..
The “unattended” version could be two things that have not yet been clarified: a fully autonomous system (Level 4) or one that allows the driver to ignore the road for longer periods (Level 3). It seems silly, but the difference is key, since it involves quite a few legal aspects.
In Texas, where the brand is based, regulations are quite lightsso to speak. Basically, if the car can follow traffic laws and is insured, Tesla could release its updated system relatively easily. But in other parts of the US – not even EU countries enter the equation – things get complicated. Tesla would need to obtain several permits from the state DMV, depending on what level of autonomy it wants to implement.
But be careful because, on the other hand, there is the issue of robotaxis. These developments collide head-on with federal safety regulations. To mass produce them, Tesla would need a special exemption from NHTSA, something that has so far only been granted to an autonomous delivery vehicle, not passenger cars.
To all this we can add that it seems that the situation is not very positive or being managed quickly.. There are already giants like General Motors and Amazon—through Zoox—that are waiting for similar approvals. NHTSA has promised new rules to accommodate these vehicles of the future, but timelines remain in limbo.
Being somewhat positive, the truth is that precisely this would explain why, despite the hype of the Tesla event, investors reacted in the opposite way. The company’s shares fell 10% the next day, making it clear that this is going to take a long time and no matter how much Elon Musk sets dates, things in the palace are going, in this case, very slowly.
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Tags: Video, Electric car, Tesla, Elon Musk, Autonomous car