Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled his vision for a “fun, exciting future,” one that includes self-driving cars without steering wheels, parks where parking lots once stood, and robots mingling with the public. This ambitious vision, dubbed an “age of abundance,” was met with enthusiasm from the audience, many of whom eagerly anticipate the arrival of Tesla’s robotaxis and driverless vehicles. Musk’s unveiling included models of the futuristic robotaxi and a spacious “Robovan” designed for group transport.
While Musk’s designs embraced a shiny, sci-fi aesthetic reminiscent of classic films like Blade Runner, he emphasized that his version would be far more optimistic. However, skepticism remains regarding his ambitious timelines. Musk has a reputation for promising quick turnarounds on technology that often take years to materialize. In fact, he admitted during the presentation, “I tend to be a little optimistic with time frames,” acknowledging past predictions that did not come to fruition.
The event, which began 53 minutes late, was livestreamed to millions on X, drawing a dedicated audience despite the delay. Attendees cheered as they caught glimpses of the self-driving vehicles gliding around the studio lot. Currently, Tesla offers a Full Self-Driving (FSD) option for $8,000, but drivers still need to be prepared to take control at any moment. Musk claimed that Teslas with FSD would operate without human intervention in California and Texas by next year, while his Cybercab—a vehicle without traditional controls—could enter production by 2026.
Despite Musk’s confidence, independent testing raises concerns about the safety and reliability of FSD technology. Critics point out that drivers need to take control every 13 miles on average, calling into question Musk’s assertion that Tesla’s data shows FSD is safer than human-driven vehicles. Financial analysts like Gene Munster emphasize that while Tesla is making strides, achieving the necessary safety benchmarks for regulatory approval could take several years.
As Musk’s vision for the future unfolds, the world watches closely, questioning whether this age of autonomy will truly arrive or remain a tantalizing dream. For more on this story, visit https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/10/business/elon-musk-tesla-robotaxis/index.html
