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– The Robotaxi could enter production no later than 2027, according to Tesla.
Tesla plays spoilsport before the Paris Motor Show. In the aisles of the Parisian show, which opens this Monday, October 14, Renault and Stellantis risk repeating again and again that “the car is freedom” (to painfully try to recover their sales). Conversely, at Elon Musk, we hear that “today’s means of transport are useless.and even that there could be fewer vehicles on the roads thanks to autonomous driving. Sacrilege! This Thursday, October 10, the American group actually unveiled his Robotaxi, accompanied by the Robovan and an army of Optimus androids.
For years, Elon Musk has been promising to build a completely autonomous car. Suffice to say that this event, entitled “We, Robot”, was eagerly awaited by Tesla investors. With some concern since the company, disrupted on the stock market, had delayed this presentation from August to October. A discrepancy which reinforced questions about the company’s ability to keep its grandiose promises. But finally, fans of the company were able to see robot taxi prototypes in action.
With its Robotaxi, Tesla wants to reduce the cost of cars
No steering wheel, no pedals and – surprise – not even a socket to recharge this 100% electric car! This is what the Robotaxi looks like, which should enter production in 2026 or 2027. With two seats, the car has a huge trunk and a large on-board screen. Elon Musk promised that the vehicle could recharge by induction, therefore without cables. Above all, he promised a very competitive price for this model, below 30,000 dollars (around 27,423 euros). In June, the manager also assured that owners could rent their vehicle when they do not need it to earn money, on the same model as Airbnb with unoccupied accommodation. A way to better amortize the purchase of the vehicle. “Cars are too expensive”deplores Elon Musk.
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The other revelation is the Robovan. An electric and autonomous bus capable of accommodating 20 passengers. Like the Cybertruck, the Robovan has a very atypical design, inspired by Art Deco locomotives. “We want to transform the appearance of the roads. The future must look like the future”proclaims Elon Musk, applauded by his fans. With this vehicle, Tesla intends to challenge public transport players. He said if the cost of a bus ride is $1 per mile, Robovan could reduce that expense to 5 or 10 cents. It is better to consider these figures with caution because Tesla has not always kept its price promises…
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Why does Tesla insist so much on autonomous cars? It is about achieving a pirouette that no car company has mastered for now: making money more from car services and software, rather than from selling cars per se. “The vast majority of the time, cars do nothing”points to Elon Musk. A waste when autonomous vehicles could be used to transport other people. According to Tesla, these fleets of robot taxis constantly in circulation would also make it possible to reduce the space taken up by parking lots. “Cities will be greener and more pleasant to live in”makes the company dream.
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As automobile sales decline in Europe, many manufacturers see their salvation in mobility services. But Elon Musk defends this strategy much more firmly. The boss postponed the release of an affordable electric car to concentrate on the Robotaxi and Robovan project. A rather risky choice given the technological and regulatory challenges associated with autonomous driving. It is clear that if visitors to the Paris Motor Show will not be able to see the Robotaxi, they will be able to test the Renault 5 and the Citroën ë-C3, two electric city cars, some versions of which will be offered (sooner or later) at 25,000 euros. A niche where Tesla is not yet present.
Tesla wants you to adopt robots
Alongside the robot taxis, there were robots at Tesla’s party: the famous Optimus androids. “It’s just a robot with arms and legs instead of a robot with wheels”presented Elon Musk. A way to reassure investors about the synergies between automotive activities and robotics projects. Elon Musk repeated his intention to sell this technology for $20,000 or $30,000 eventually to make it a mass product and not just a robot that would operate on industrial sites.
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“You could have your own R2D2 or C3PO”assures Elon Musk, in reference to the friendly and skillful androids of the Star Wars saga. According to Tesla, Optimus will be able to carry out a large number of thankless tasks : watering the plants, cleaning, mowing the lawn, unloading groceries from the car… Or looking after the children. But on the calendar side, the leader remained unclear. As much for the Robovan as the deployment of the Optimus androids. Inaccuracies which cooled investors, because this Friday, October 11, Tesla’s action showed a drop of 6% before the opening of the markets… Furthermore, the event was held in the studios of the famous Warner Bros. Could this all just be cinema?
