Tesla has just announced its own version of the self-driving electric cab....seen as a possible rival to the GM Cruise-cabs.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/10...-cruise-rival/

Tesla Cybercab Unveiled As GM Cruise Rival

By George Barta

October 11, 2024 1:45 pm



5 Love it or hate it, Tesla isn’t like other car companies. From the original Tesla Roadster to the radical Tesla Cybertruck, this Austin, Texas-based tech firm has been pushing boundaries since its Silicon Valley origins in the 2000s. Tesla had its Asimov-inspired “We, Robot” presentation on Thursday and unveiled a new round of products that have the potential to be real movers and shakers in the realms of mobility and robotics. The one that’s the closest to being a real thing is the long-awaited robotaxi; the Tesla Cybercab.



The Tesla Cybercab that was unveiled has no steering wheel or pedals. That means the Tesla is so confident in the Cybercab that can’t accommodate a safety driver to intervene if the robotic driving system fails. Unlike most rivals that rely on LIDAR 3D imaging, like GM’s Cruise AV, the Tesla Cybercab will use artificial intelligence and cameras to get around.
Robotaxi & Robovan pic.twitter.com/pI2neyJBSL

— Tesla (@Tesla)

The design of the Tesla Cybercab is something of a mashup of existing Tesla production vehicles. Its angular front and rear light bars are reminiscent of the Cybertruck, while its egg-like profile invokes the popular Model 3 and Model Y. One of its most distinguishing features is its butterfly doors that open upward and outward, similar to McLaren supercars and the BMW i8.



It’s unclear how many seats there are in the Cybercab. The video presentation or the photos provided by Tesla don’t show back seats, so it could be a two-seater with a big trunk. As far as futuristic concepts go, this cabin is pretty conventional and not unlike existing production models from the brand.


Mechanical details are light. Tesla hasn’t provided specific range estimates for the Cybercab. However, one interesting mechanical detail is that it will have inductive wireless charging for the EV battery with no plugging in required. It’s unclear whether plugging in will be an option or if it can only charge wirelessly.

Tesla says this isn’t just for ride-sharing services. You’ll be able to buy one as a regular retail customer at an expected starting price of under $30,000. Musk claims the Cybercab has an operating cost of only about 20 cents per mile, and he expects production to begin in 2026.



Musk also said Tesla expects to start “unsupervised” full-self-driving with the Model 3 and Model Y in Texas and California next year. This would go beyond a hands-free system like GM’s Super Cruise and allow the person in the driver’s seat to sleep or read a book while the car does all of the driving.


Another thing that Elon Musk has been talking about for years that’s finally in prototype form is a Tesla van. Called the Robovan, it can seat up to 20 and be used for personal or commercial purposes. Musk says its operating cost is only five cents per mile. This could be considered a rival to the Cruise Origin autonomous van, which is currently on ice.



Elon Musk also showed off the latest prototype of the Optimus humanoid robot, “your own personal R2D2/C3PO,” which Musk predicts will cost $20,000-30,000. To prove they really work, Optimus androids were serving drinks at the We, Robot event. As of this writing, the Tesla Optimus has no direct rival from General Motors.

Here’s the full presentation, which starts at the 53:12 mark.

By George Barta

 

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