Tesla unveils Cybercab and Robovan at ‘We, Robot’ event, promising autonomous future

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took center stage at the company’s exclusive “We, Robot” event in Burbank, California, unveiling two futuristic autonomous vehicles: the Cybercab and the Robovan. Musk showcased the Cybercab, a sleek, silver two-seater with no steering wheel or pedals, highlighting Tesla’s ongoing push toward full autonomy. The event, held at Warner Bros. Studios, saw Musk arriving on stage in the Cybercab, introducing 21 of these vehicles, and revealing that Tesla had 50 autonomous cars available for demonstration at the event.

Musk provided few details about where the Cybercab would be produced but stated that the vehicle would be priced below $30,000 and is expected to enter production before 2027. He also announced that Tesla plans to roll out “unsupervised Full Self-Driving” (FSD) in California and Texas by next year, a major step beyond the current “supervised” version of FSD, which still requires a human driver to intervene.

In addition to the Cybercab, Musk introduced the Robovan, a larger autonomous vehicle designed to transport up to 20 passengers or goods. The Robovan is intended to solve transportation issues in densely populated areas and will feature inductive charging, allowing it to recharge without physically plugging in.

Despite years of missed deadlines and lofty promises regarding full autonomy, Musk remains confident that Tesla is on the cusp of achieving this breakthrough. He reiterated that autonomy is the company’s future, urging investors to stay on board.

At the event, attendees were treated to test rides of Tesla’s autonomous vehicles on closed movie studio lots, while Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, mingled with the crowd, serving drinks and dancing to club music. Musk closed the event by stating, “The Optimus robots will walk among you,” further emphasizing Tesla’s vision for a robotic future.

The reveal marks Tesla’s first major product launch since the introduction of the Cybertruck in 2019, a vehicle that has faced multiple recalls since deliveries began in 2023. Despite past delays, Musk’s latest presentation signals that Tesla remains committed to pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology.