Tesla Cyber Cab and Robo Van: Future of Autonomous Taxis

Tesla's Cyber cab promises a future of fully autonomous electric taxis, revolutionizing urban transport by eliminating the need for drivers.

### Tesla's Vision for the Future: The Cyber Cab and Robo Van Unveiled
* 🚖 Tesla has introduced the all-new **Cyber cab** and its larger counterpart, the **robo van**, showcasing their vision for **autonomous electric taxis**.
* 🔋 The Cyber cab is a compact electric vehicle that combines elements from the **Cybertruck and Model 3**, featuring **no steering wheel or pedals**, as it is designed to be **fully autonomous**.
* 🛠 Powered by Tesla's next-generation unsupervised full self-driving software, the cab relies solely on a **vision-based sensing system using cameras**, unlike other models that utilize **LiDAR technology**.
* 💻 Elon Musk highlighted the Cyber cab's AI hardware, which aims to **enhance safety** and suggests a potential use as a **distributed computing system** while parked, akin to **Amazon's cloud services**.
* 🚗 During the unveiling event at Warner Brothers City Studio Lot, Musk arrived in the Cyber cab, demonstrating its **autonomous capabilities**, and attendees were able to experience rides in both the Cyber cab and an **FSD-equipped Model Y**.
* 🗓 The Cyber cab is expected to hit the roads by **2026 or early 2027**, though past promises of fully autonomous vehicles have raised skepticism about **potential delays**.
* 💵 The projected price for the Cyber cab is **under $30,000**, and Tesla plans to allow owners to **rent them out for rides when not in use**, creating a **new revenue stream**.
* 🚌 The robo van, designed for **20 passengers and adaptable for cargo**, signifies Tesla's foray into the bus market, further emphasizing the concept of **autonomous electric vehicles as "robots on wheels."**

Tesla just debuted the all-new Cyber cab and its boxy big brother, the robo van. It's one punch vision for the future of autonomous electric taxis. Should you be excited? Well, let me break it down for you. Now, the Cyber cab is a compact electric coupe that looks sort of like a blend between the aesthetics of the Tesla Cybertruck and the Model 3 sedan. It doesn't have a steering wheel, it doesn't have pedals, heck, it doesn't even have rear glass. And that's because Tesla envisions this to be a fully autonomous electric taxi. You don't drive it; it drives you. Now, under the hood, the electric cab is powered by the next generation of Tesla's full self-driving software, the so-called unsupervised FSD, as opposed to the driver-supervised FSD that you'll find in this current crop of electric vehicles. Now, this is a completely vision-based sensing system—cameras only, so no spinning LiDAR like you'll see in the Wio electric taxis operating in certain cities in America.

now in addition to the next generation of Tesla software, the automaker also said to be equipping the Cyber cab with an overspecced version of its AI hardware. The idea is that this extra overhead will help make rides a little bit safer, but Tesla head Elon Musk did say something along the lines of using these vehicles as a distributed computing system while they're parked, something along the lines of Amazon cloud computing but for cars. It's a little bit vague how they plan on using this, if at all. We'll just have to keep an eye on it. Tesla demonstrated the Cyber Cab's autonomous chops by having Tesla head Elon Musk arrive to the event in a Cyber cab that was driven autonomously. Now, the event took place at the Warner Brothers City Studio Lot in Southern California, and showgoers were also given an opportunity to ride around in the Cyber cab or in an unsupervised FSD-equipped Tesla Model Y. That's right, this Cyber cab technology is also planned to come to Tesla's crop of current electric

vehicles, so the Model 3 or Model Y that's in your driveway now could one day become completely autonomous. Now, there is a big difference between getting a ride in an autonomous cab on a closed studio lot and having this technology work on the chaotic streets of American cities. So, let's hope the Teslas worked the kinks out by the time it arrives on our roads. Now, we can expect it to arrive on our roads in 2026 or before 2027. Must joke during the presentation, though. Let's be honest, Tesla has been promising fully autonomous Robo cabs next year since 2019, so expect delays. Now, while we wait, there are still some questions that need answering. For starters, we don't know how big the battery is or how much range the Cyber Cab's going to have. We also don't know how quickly or efficiently its inductive charging will be or when this technology will become widespread for us to use on the roads or in our driveways. Now, what we do have is a

ballpark figure of under $30,000. When Tesla eventually begins sales to private owners, the automaker doesn't plan on running a cabinetwork itself. Instead, what it wants to do is sell you a cyber cap or two, and when you're not giving yourself a ride to work or wherever, you can actually rent them out to other people for autonomous rides, making money while you sleep. And of course, because you can't talk about autonomous electric vehicles for more than 5 minutes without something that looks like a giant Bread Box on Wheels rolling out, we've got the Tesla Robo van or Robo van, a 20-passenger autonomous electric vehicle that can be reconfigured for cargo. That's right, Tesla invented the bus, sort of. It's not very different from the purpose-built vehicles that we've been seeing from Japanese and Korean automakers at shows like CES for years now. Think the PBV concepts that KIA rolled out at CES this year. Now, when you really think about it, an autonomous electric vehicle is essentially a robot on wheels. It's got wheels instead of legs and

It's not shaped like a person, but that's why Tesla chose this opportunity to also trot out its humanoid Optimus robots at the event. It brought out a platoon of these monochrome C3PO-looking dudes to do a little dance at the end of the presentation and serve drinks to partygoers. Now you can learn more about the humanoid Optimus robot over on cet.com. That's where we've also got a deep dive into the long and rocky road towards Tesla's autonomous Robo taxis. Drive safe, and I'll see you soon.

Tesla Cybercab: A Robotaxi of Your Own for Under $30k

CNET is the premier destination for explaining and navigating the changing world around us. Through news, product reviews, price comparisons, and more, we’ll tell you what’s new in the parts of modern life that increasingly matter more — from health, home, and money to tech, culture, and climate — and how to get the most out of them.

CNET

Tesla has unveiled the Cyber cab and robo van, envisioning a future of autonomous electric taxis.

The Cyber cab is a compact, steering wheel-less vehicle powered by Tesla's next-generation unsupervised full self-driving software and a unique vision-based sensing system.

The cab's AI hardware is overspecced for added safety, and Tesla plans to use the vehicles as a distributed computing system while parked.

Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y may become fully autonomous by 2026, but the transition from a controlled environment to chaotic city streets poses challenges.

The company has a history of promising Robo cabs since 2019, leading to potential delays.

Key questions remain unanswered, including the Cyber Cab's battery size, range, charging efficiency, and the timeline for widespread technology adoption.

Tesla's Vision for Autonomous Electric Vehicles

Tesla plans to sell cyber caps to private owners, allowing them to rent out the vehicles for autonomous rides and make money.

The company is also introducing a 20-passenger Robo van, which can be reconfigured for cargo, aiming to disrupt the traditional bus model.

The concept of an autonomous electric vehicle is likened to a robot on wheels, offering a new perspective on transportation.

Tesla showcased its humanoid Optimus robots at an event, featuring a group of them dancing and serving drinks.

The robots have a C3PO-like appearance and are part of Tesla's efforts in automation.

More information about the Optimus robot and Tesla's autonomous Robo taxis can be found on cet.