VIDEO: Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s New Fully Autonomous Cybercab and Cybervan

 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has introduced the company's latest innovation, the fully autonomous "Cybercab," at the "We, Robot" event held at Warner Bros. Studios in Southern California. The Cybercab, a self-driving taxi with no steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedal, is set to transform urban transportation, according to Musk.

Along with the Cybercab, Tesla also showcased the "Cybervan," a family-friendly autonomous vehicle, and "Optimus," a humanoid robot designed for home use. The Cybercab is expected to cost under $30,000, a pricing strategy aimed at making autonomous vehicles accessible to a wider audience and potentially disrupting the ride-hailing industry, including competitors like Uber and Bolt.

“You can think of it as individualized mass transit,” Musk said, explaining that the Cybercab’s operating cost will be approximately 20 cents per mile—substantially lower than the average bus operating cost of about a dollar per mile.

Production for the Cybercab is slated to begin in 2026, with availability anticipated before 2027. Musk also revealed that Tesla aims to introduce full self-driving (FSD) capabilities in California and Texas by next year, pending regulatory approvals. This rollout will initially be with the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, before expanding to the Cybercab.

While discussing the global availability of the Cybercab, Musk noted that the U.S. will be the first market, followed by other regions, all contingent on regulatory approval. He envisions cab drivers managing fleets of 10 to 20 Cybercabs, likening it to a "shepherd tending their flock."

Musk emphasized the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles, asserting that they will be “ten times safer” than human-driven cars, drawing a comparison to the transition from manual to automated elevators. He believes autonomous cars will drastically reduce accidents, saving lives and preventing injuries.

In addition to the Cybercab, Tesla unveiled the Cybervan, a larger vehicle designed to transport up to 20 passengers or cargo. Like the Cybercab, the Cybervan is fully autonomous, lacking traditional controls like a steering wheel and pedals. Musk suggested the Cybervan could address high-density transportation needs, but details on its production timeline and pricing were not disclosed.

Musk concluded by expressing optimism about the future of autonomous vehicles, saying, “I think it's going to be a glorious future. Something really special."

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