Tag: Tesla Robotaxi

  • Cybertruck: Tesla’s Robotaxi with the Biggest Screen Yet

    Cybertruck: Tesla’s Robotaxi with the Biggest Screen Yet

    Elon Musk has delayed the "We, Robot" event for Tesla where they planned to showcase the Robotaxi, so they could make some alterations to its front appearance.

    A Cybertruck Influence

    If the goal was to give it a look similar to a Cybertruck, complete with light bar headlights, they definitely succeeded. But it’s not just the front that resembles the Cybertruck; the entire Robotaxi has hints of Cybertruck design, as its shiny silver color makes it look like it’s crafted from stainless steel.

    Looks Can Be Deceiving

    However, the Cybertruck-inspired aesthetic is mostly superficial. The futuristic design of the Robotaxi is actually made with basic aluminum panels, which are painted to shine like the Cybertruck’s stainless steel. The self-driving Robovan also has a similar vibe, reminiscent of an Airstream trailer, yet it isn’t made of stainless steel either.

    Tesla’s head designer, Franz von Holzhausen, stated during the unveiling that producing it in stainless steel would have been overly expensive and would contradict the aim of creating Tesla’s first vehicle priced under $30,000.

    Cost-Saving Features

    Apart from saving costs by not including rear seats, pedals, or a steering wheel, Tesla has also cut expenses by optimizing the battery. The Robotaxi will offer a range of approximately 200 miles powered by a roughly 40 kWh battery, which is the smallest offered by Tesla.

    The wheels of the Robotaxi are designed to appear unusually large and modern by painting half of the tires in the same color as the wheel caps, creating an illusion that the 21-inch Continentals look much sleeker than they actually are.

    Impressive Technology

    Where Tesla invested more in the Robotaxi is in its central console screen. With a diagonal size of 21 inches, it’s the biggest screen Tesla has ever included in any vehicle.

    This large panel highlights the infotainment capabilities of the purpose-built autonomous Robotaxi, allowing passengers to watch movies or surf the web while the vehicle drives them to their location. For reference, the Cybertruck has the second-largest display in a Tesla, but its "infinity touchscreen" measures only 18.5 inches diagonally.

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  • Tesla Rideshare Drivers Use Self-Driving Mode for Safety

    Tesla Rideshare Drivers Use Self-Driving Mode for Safety

    Tesla is set to reveal a fully autonomous Robotaxi and potentially a ride-sharing platform, likely named the Cybercab service, on October 10.

    Current Use of Tesla Vehicles

    Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft drivers have been taking advantage of their Tesla vehicles as makeshift Robotaxis. They enter their destinations and let the cars navigate themselves.

    One unfortunate incident involved a serious crash where the Tesla failed to detect an SUV cutting into its path. The driver intervened only to lessen the impact, resulting in the SUV driver being sent to the hospital.

    Driver Experiences and Concerns

    Reports from ride-share drivers interviewed by Reuters indicate that around 40% are using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature regularly. While some express dissatisfaction with the $99/month service’s inconsistencies, they acknowledge that it significantly reduces the stress of driving in congested urban areas, allowing them to extend their working hours.

    In contrast, some drivers choose not to use FSD when carrying passengers, especially in situations they believe the software struggles with, such as in construction zones or busy airport areas.

    Responsibility and Safety

    When questioned about these practices, Uber and Lyft distanced themselves, stating that the responsibility for passenger safety falls solely on the driver. They referenced the Tesla FSD manual, which highlights the necessity for constant supervision of the feature.

    "Drivers must maintain a safe environment for riders, even if their driving methods don’t break any laws," Uber stated, while Lyft added that "drivers agree to avoid reckless behavior." Despite this, both platforms continue to enhance the experience for drivers using FSD.

    Uber has introduced a software update that sends passenger pickup and destination information directly to the Tesla navigation system, simplifying the process for drivers using FSD.

    Regulatory Landscape and Future Expectations

    Tesla’s self-driving feature is not subjected to the same limitations as fully autonomous services like Waymo or Cruise, as it is classified as a Level 2 driver-assist system. This classification allows Uber and Lyft drivers to use it nearly anywhere, provided they supervise it.

    However, some regulation or even a ban on this practice may be on the horizon, as the NHTSA is currently looking into accidents involving FSD.

    For the time being, many Uber and Lyft drivers are looking forward to Tesla’s announcements during the Robotaxi event on October 10, eagerly anticipating that FSD 13 will further simplify their work.

    You can find the Tesla Universal Wall Connector EV Charger with Dual Plug on Amazon.

    Source: Reuters, Project Robotaxi (YT)

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  • Tesla Delays Robotaxi Unveiling to October, Market Impact Expected

    Tesla Delays Robotaxi Unveiling to October, Market Impact Expected

    Tesla has delayed its much-awaited Robotaxi unveiling event, originally set for August, to October. As reported by Bloomberg, this internal decision was made to allow teams more time to create additional prototypes.

    Tesla's design team was instructed to revise certain car elements. This communication underscores the company's dedication to ensuring the prototypes are of the highest quality and ready for public introduction.

    Initial Announcement and Market Reaction

    CEO Elon Musk had initially set the event date eight months ago. Anticipation around the event led to an 11-day streak of gains for Tesla's stock, adding over $257 billion to the company's market capitalization. However, the delay has resulted in an 8.4% drop in Tesla's stock on Thursday, the largest decline since January. Conversely, shares of competitors Uber Technologies and Lyft soared on the news, with Uber's stock rising by 6.1% and Lyft's shares increasing by 4.6%.

    What is the significance of the Robotaxi Project?

    The idea of an autonomous taxi service stems from Elon Musk's second "master plan" for Tesla in 2016. Musk has prioritized this project over the development of an affordable electric vehicle. Despite years of promotion, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology still requires constant monitoring and does not make the cars fully autonomous. Nevertheless, Musk and his engineers have recently become more optimistic about FSD's potential.

    Tesla’s Recent Performance and Analyst Perspectives

    Tesla delivered 6.6% fewer cars in the first half of the year and produced 14% fewer vehicles in the second quarter compared to the previous year, in an effort to reduce inventory. The addition of the Cybertruck to Tesla’s lineup has also been a recent focus.

    Wedbush analyst Dan Ives suggests that the timing of the Robotaxi showcase is less critical than the content and posits that the delay may lead to a more robust and well-prepared event. Ives advises investors not to fret over the delay, emphasizing that the timeline for robotaxis, partnerships, and autonomous technology remains unchanged for Tesla’s bullish outlook.

    The original event date of August 8, set in April, may have been overly optimistic. Tesla is likely ensuring that the prototypes meet quality standards before the event. Reports indicate that Tesla is using current vehicle mules equipped with exterior cameras to collect data for the Robotaxi development.

    Despite the delay, the focus remains on the event’s content and the preparedness of the prototypes. Investors and experts are optimistic that the postponed event in October will provide a more detailed and impressive showcase of Tesla’s Robotaxi initiative.

    The success of the event and the eventual launch of the Robotaxi service are critical for Tesla’s positioning in the autonomous vehicle market and its future as a technology leader.

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