Tesla Event We, Robot: Everything Elon Musk Presented, Including the Cybercab, Robovan, and More.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk first proposed the creation of a network of robotaxis using autonomous Teslas in 2019, with the expectation of starting its implementation the following year. However, Musk is not exactly known for meeting his deadlines. Now, five years later, Tesla is preparing to unveil its Robotaxi at a spectacular event titled “We, Robot” in a Hollywood studio. We will be keeping a close watch on everything that happens tonight, so don’t miss it.
Anthony Levandowski, known for being one of the engineers who co-founded Google's autonomous vehicle program, has shared his thoughts on Tesla's recent robotaxi presentation. Levandowski, who currently leads a startup focused on autonomous vehicles for rugged terrain, expressed optimism about Elon Musk's vision for the future of Tesla and transportation in general, although he also voiced some reservations.
The engineer indicated that the real challenge doesn't lie in designing a car without a steering wheel, but rather in developing efficient software. According to Levandowski, there is a significant difference between driving on a recreational circuit and navigating the dense traffic of cities like Los Angeles. "Optimism is present, but reality is the next step, and that's where the real difficulty lies," he commented.
Levandowski supported Musk's strategy of focusing more on a software-based approach, avoiding the use of expensive sensors, and highlighted that it seems total autonomous driving is within reach. Although Waymo already operates fully autonomous robotaxis in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, he noted that these operate with a method that requires more engineering and sensors.
He expressed eagerness for Tesla to announce advancements in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is crucial if the company plans to achieve unsupervised autonomous operation by next year. Regarding the business model, Levandowski shared his enthusiasm for the idea of Cybercabs being available for purchase, allowing small entrepreneurs to own and manage their own vehicle fleets, promoting a more accessible and less centralized model.
However, Levandowski does not expect this vision to materialize in the short term, and he suggested that Musk's timelines are very ambitious. "If you can't start a webcast on time, perhaps your prediction for 2026 is a bit optimistic," referring to the timelines mentioned regarding the production of the Cybercab. Despite the challenges, Levandowski remained optimistic about the Optimus robots, which were present at the event. However, he cautioned that the impact of the robots will be seen in the long term, stating that they will outshine Tesla vehicles in relevance, but their implementation is still far off.
