Elon Musk unveiled the Robovan and a new version of the Optimus humanoid robot at Tesla’s highly anticipated event in Southern California on Thursday night. In addition to showcasing the Cybercab, Tesla’s latest robotaxi prototype with no steering wheel or pedals, Musk introduced the Robovan, a futuristic, boxy vehicle designed to transport up to 20 passengers or cargo.
The event, held at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, highlighted Tesla’s advancements in autonomous vehicles and robotics.
The Cybercab, which Musk said would cost less than $30,000, is set to be fully autonomous, allowing passengers to reclaim time once spent driving. Musk reiterated that vehicles like the Model 3 and Model Y will achieve full self-driving capability by 2025 in states like Texas and California, pending regulatory approval, and predicted mass production of fully autonomous cars by 2027.
The Robovan, with its sleek, stainless-steel body reminiscent of the Cybertruck, is designed for both personal and commercial use, capable of carrying people or goods. Musk also showcased a revamped Optimus humanoid robot, emphasizing its role as a personal assistant for domestic tasks. He compared it to iconic robots like R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars, saying, “Optimus robots will walk among you.”
While the event offered exciting glimpses into Tesla’s future, Musk did not provide updates on the development of lower-cost Tesla models, leaving investors eager for more details. He acknowledged that full autonomy will require regulatory approval, and some analysts noted that the timeline for autonomous vehicles remains uncertain.
Tesla shares (TSLA) dropped by 6% in early trading following the event, with no news about affordable Tesla models to excite the market. Tesla’s stock has lagged behind the broader market this year, raising concerns among investors.
The event, which started nearly an hour late due to a reported medical emergency in the audience, concluded with attendees taking test drives of Tesla’s latest innovations in a city-themed set designed for the occasion.
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