Elon Musk Says Tesla's Robotaxi to Hit Roads in 2026 with No Pedals or Steering Wheel
Elon Musk unveiled a futuristic robotaxi and a larger Robovan at Tesla's latest event, marking the company's shift toward robotics manufacturing.
The robotaxi, featuring gull-wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals, is expected to go into production by 2026 with a price tag of under $30,000.
Musk emphasized the use of AI and cameras, foregoing hardware used by competitors, though this approach has raised technical and regulatory concerns.
The cars are designed to operate autonomously, and Musk claims operational costs will be as low as 20 cents per mile, with inductive charging eliminating the need for plugs.
The Robovan, capable of carrying up to 20 passengers, was also showcased alongside Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus.
Musk envisions a future where Tesla owners can list their vehicles as robotaxis on an app to generate income, fully embracing an autonomous transport network.
Source: Abhirup Roy and Akash Sriram / Reuters