Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed a prototype of the companys first fully driverless vehicle tonight during its long-awaited robotaxi event. The new vehicle is dubbed the Cybercab, and Tesla let guests at the event ride around in them at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California. The nights surprise, however, was a brand-new Robovan transport vehicle that can be configured as mass transit or a cargo carrier.For years, Musk has been promising that a driverless Tesla vehicle was just two years away. Many delays later, Musk has shown fans and investors something. Their reaction to the We, Robot event will be a referendum on whether Musk can deliver real self-driving technology that can compete with robotaxi companies like Waymo and Cruise.You can find out more about what Tesla announced at the event with our live coverage below.HighlightsToday, 21 minutes agoAndrew J. HawkinsTesla awarded ride-hail permit in California,a first step for robotaxisImage: Cath Virginia / The VergeThe California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted Teslas application for a ride-hail permit, a required first step in the automakers quest to launch a robotaxi service in the state.Last year, Tesla applied to become a transportation charter-party carrier (TCP), which enables it to operate a fleet of vehicles for passenger services using employees as drivers. CPUC is a state agency that regulates human- and robot-driven vehicles for ride-hail services. Read Article >Oct 13, 2024Wes DavisThe Optimus robots at Teslas Cybercab event were humans in disguiseAn Optimus robot at the We, Robot event. Screenshot: Tesla We, Robot livestreamTesla made sure its Optimus robots were a big part of its extravagant, in-person Cybercab reveal last week. The robots mingled with the crowd, served drinks to and played games with guests, and danced inside a gazebo. Seemingly most surprisingly, they could even talk. But it was mostly just a show.Its obvious when you watch the videos from the event, of course. If Optimus really was a fully autonomous machine that could immediately react to verbal and visual cues while talking, one-on-one, to human beings in a dimly lit crowd, that would be mind-blowing.Read Article >Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsHeres what its like to ride in a Tesla Cybercab.Interestingly, the UX seems to prioritize video streaming over any kind of trip visualization. Tesla seems to think people would rather watch movies than be assured their driverless car can see other cars and pedestrians. (Theyre probably right, too.)Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsThe Tesla Cybercab is a cool-looking prototype that needed to be much more than thatImage: TeslaTesla CEO Elon Musk could have taken the stage at last nights We, Robot event and put a lot of fears to rest.He could have released comprehensive safety data for the companys Full Self-Driving feature that showed real progress for the driver-assist feature, contradicting all the crowdsourced data thats out there making FSD look truly awful.Read Article >Oct 11, 2024Thomas RickerInvestors not convinced.Tesla shares are trading down as much as six percent premarket, a few hours after digesting the Cybercabs and ruBOvehns.Oct 11, 2024Jay PetersMissed Teslas Cybercab event?Check out our video highlighting the most important parts.Oct 11, 2024Jay PetersThe Optimus robots can talk, apparently.One called Elon the Technoking.Oct 11, 2024Jay PetersThe Cybercab and the Robovan.Why didnt Tesla call it the Cybervan?Oct 11, 2024Jay PetersHeres an Optimus bartender.Its wearing a cowboy hat, for some reason.Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeOct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsOk thats a wrap!Lots to parse. A few surprises. But as weve said before, the robotaxis are operating in a highly controlled setting and none of this is guaranteed to launch when Musk predicts it will. So stay tuned.Oct 11, 2024Umar ShakirTeslas Optimus bot makes a scene at the robotaxi eventImage: TeslaA bunch of Teslas humanoid Optimus robots walked out alongside the reveal of Teslas new Robovan vehicle at tonights Cybercab event. The robot is also seen in a video doing daily human tasks like bringing in a package from the porch and watering your plants.The Optimus will walk amongst you, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says. Youll be able to walk right up to them, and they will serve drinks.Read Article >Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsThe robots are now dancing to Daft Punk.Theyre doing the robot. What else?Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsTeslas Optimus robot is serving drinks.The bots will be mingling with guests at the event, Musk says, who implores his guests to be nice to the robots.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsAnd yes, theres a robovan.Elon is putting the emphasis on the bo in robovan, so I wasnt quite sure what he was saying at first. But yeah, its obviously not a conventional looking van.Teslas Robovan is the surprise of the nightAndrew J. HawkinsOct 11Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsCybercab doesnt have a plug.The robotaxi will charge wirelessly through an inductive charger, Musk says. Tesla has long teased wireless charging for its EVs.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsTeslas Robovan is the surprise of the nightImage: TeslaTesla CEO Elon Musk surprised attendees of the We, Robot event by presenting a new, unexpected vehicle: a passenger van.Of course, it was far from a conventional van. The Tesla Robovan (Musk pronounces it ruh-BO-vehn) looked like something out of an Art Deco fever dream, with a sleek train engine-like shape and no visible wheels. Musk said that the vehicle could carry up to 20 people or be used to transport goods.Read Article >Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsAgain, were getting the pitch for inference compute.This is becoming a running theme with Musk: the idea that the unused compute power of millions of idle Tesla vehicles could be used like Amazons cloud service business. Of course, its not that easy.Elon Musk wants to turn Teslas fleet into AWS for AI would it work?Andrew J. HawkinsApr 24Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsI think its going to be a glorious future.Elon says he plans on starting fully autonomous Model 3 and Model Y trips in Texas and California next year. Cybercab wont go into production until 2026... before 2027.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsAnd yes, youll be able to buy one.Cheers as Musk says the cost will be below $30,000. Take that with a huge grain of salt.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsWith autonomy, you get your time back. This is a very big deal.Elon selling autonomous cars as a time saver, which is a very familiar argument for anyone who has been paying attention to the AV industry.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsOK here it is. The Tesla robotaxi.Elon gets in. Its driving him through the film lot. There are 20 of them on the lot, and another 30 driverless Model Ys.Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsTesla Cybercab announced: Elon Musks robotaxi is finally hereImage: TeslaTesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new electric vehicle dedicated to self-driving, a possible milestone after years of false promises and blown deadlines.The robotaxi is a purpose-built autonomous vehicle, lacking a steering wheel or pedals, meaning it will need approval from regulators before going into production. The design was futuristic, with doors that open upward like butterfly wings and a small cabin with only enough space for two passengers. There was no steering wheel or pedals, nor was there a plug Musk said the vehicle charges inductively to regain power wirelessly.Read Article >Oct 11, 2024Umar ShakirA line must be drawn.Dont do Hayao Miyazaki like this.Oct 11, 2024Jay PetersHas it started yet?Thats what my wife just asked me about this event, which was supposed to begin FIFTY ONE MINUTES AGO.(The answer is no, it hasnt.)Oct 11, 2024Andrew J. HawkinsWhile we wait,Elon is tweeting about Howard Stern and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Meanwhile, were 45 minutes past the start time.More Stories