Elon Musk just dropped a bombshell on social media: Tesla is gearing up to unveil its much-anticipated ‘robotaxi’ on August 8th.
It’s a big step in Musk’s vision for self-driving vehicles, something he’s been passionate about for years. He’s always believed that Tesla would produce cars without the traditional human controls, and that these autonomous vehicles would be game-changers.
Elon Musk About Tesla cars
According to Musk, Tesla cars equipped with full self-driving capabilities are continually improving their driving skills. He envisions a future where these cars can operate as fully autonomous taxis, earning money for their owners while providing rides without any human intervention.
While Tesla has made significant progress in developing self-driving technology, Musk has also acknowledged that his predictions don’t always hit the mark. Back in 2019, he confidently stated that Tesla would have robotaxis on the road by 2020. However, delays and challenges have slowed down the process. Despite the setbacks, Musk remains optimistic, crediting the hard work of the Tesla team in pushing forward with their ambitious goals.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is obtaining regulatory approval for Tesla’s self-driving technology. Last year, Tesla faced setbacks when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) raised concerns about issues with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software. The NHTSA warned that the software could potentially lead to unsafe driving behaviour, prompting Tesla to recall vehicles for further testing and improvements.
Currently, Tesla offers full self-driving capability as an optional add-on for new Model 3 purchases. Customers can either pay an additional $12,000 upfront or opt for a subscription model, which costs up to $199 per month depending on the car’s configuration. Musk believes that as the technology continues to evolve, Tesla cars with full autonomy will become highly valuable assets.
However, experts who have tested Tesla’s self-driving system caution that it still has a long way to go before it can reliably operate without human intervention. Despite the challenges, Musk remains committed to realizing his vision of a future where autonomous vehicles revolutionize transportation.
What exactly is a robotaxi?
Simply put, it’s a self-driving vehicle that operates as a taxi service. Musk described it as a futuristic concept where Tesla owners can rent out their autonomous cars for use in a ride-hailing service, with Tesla taking a cut of the earnings. While the idea is exciting, it’s clear that there are still significant obstacles to overcome before robotaxis become a reality on our streets.
Nevertheless, Musk’s announcement of the upcoming robotaxi unveiling signals that Tesla is continuing to push the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry. With each step forward, they’re getting closer to a future where self-driving cars are not just a dream, but a reality that could fundamentally change how we think about transportation
Following the billionaire’s announcement, shares of his Austin, Texas-based electric vehicle manufacturer, rose by more than 3% in after-market trades.
Comments 2