The electric car manufacturer Tesla wants to present its long-promised robotaxi on August 8th. CEO Elon Musk (52) announced the presentation on Friday on its online platform X (formerly Twitter). Further details were not initially disclosed. The autonomous vehicle will be based on a new technical platform that will make production more efficient and cost-effective. After the announcement, Tesla shares jumped almost 4 percent in after-hours trading.
Musk has been promising for years that Teslas will drive autonomously – and that this will radically change the value of the cars and the business model. So far, however, the “autopilot” technology in Tesla’s electric cars is just a driving assistance system that requires control and intervention by a human behind the wheel.
Nevertheless, the Tesla boss repeatedly praises his company’s potential for self-driving electric cars. The billionaire also presented the idea that unused vehicles with the FSD (Full Self-Driving) autopilot system could be used as robotaxis when their owners do not need them.
Robotaxis accidents
However, the development of robotaxis is met with concerns from regulators and the public. The Californian metropolis of San Francisco is a test area for the new technology. The robotaxis Googlesubsidiary Waymo has repeatedly been the target of vandalism. The self-driving cruise robotaxis from the car company GM ceased operations at the end of October for an indefinite period, after several accidents brought California regulators into action.
Different than that Google-Sister company Waymo, Musk always insisted that he only wanted to use cameras and forego the more expensive laser radars that scan the surroundings of vehicles. This approach is controversial among experts. In the past, accidents have occurred after “Autopilot” cameras were blinded by the sun – while drivers relied too heavily on the technology. It is unclear whether Musk wants the robotaxis to continue driving only with cameras.
Distraction from another report?
With his sudden announcement about robotaxis, Musk may have wanted to distract from negative reports about his electric car company. As it was said in a media report, Tesla has given up its long-held plan to develop an electric car for the mass market at a price of around 25,000 dollars (23,000 euros). The report was vehemently denied by Musk.
This week, Tesla also reported a decline in sales. The number of global deliveries of Tesla cars fell by 8.5 percent in the first quarter. This is particularly due to the weak demand China attributable to domestic manufacturers providing strong competition to the US company. At least Tesla was able to distance itself from its Chinese rival BYD get the heel crown back.