Tesla Robotaxi: Unveil Date and Everything Else You Want to Know

Tesla to develop their own autonomous taxi

The Boring Company

We have been hearing about Tesla’s Robotaxi concept for several years, but it seems like we may finally be getting close to this vehicle becoming a reality. Here is everything we know about the Robotaxi.

Official Reveal

Yesterday, Musk officially announced on X that Tesla would unveil the Tesla Robotaxi on August 8th, 2024. Tesla last unveiled a new vehicle back in November 2019 when they showed off the Cybertruck for the first time. Before that, they unveiled the Roadster 2.0 and the Tesla Semi at the same event in 2017, so these certainly special times that only come across once every few years.

While it's always possible that Tesla may have to move the Robotaxi's unveil date, it's exciting to think that Tesla may be just four months from unveiling this next-gen vehicle.

Robotaxi and Next-gen Vehicle

Another piece of information came out about the Robotaxi yesterday when Musk reply to the post by Sawyer Merritt. Sawyer posted that Tesla's upcoming "$25k" vehicle and the Robotaxi would not only be based on the same platform, but that the Robotaxi would essentially be the same vehicle without a steering wheel. Musk replied to the post with a simple "looking" emoji.

While it's not surprising that two of Tesla's smaller upcoming vehicles are going to be built on the same platform, it's a little more interesting that Musk chose to reply with that emoji when the post talks about the Robotaxi being the "Model 2" without a steering wheel. This leads to the possibility of Tesla not only showing off the Robotaxi at the August 8th event, but also it's upcoming next-gen car.

Production Date

Back during Tesla's Q1 2022 earnings call, Musk talked a little about the timeline for Tesla's Robotaxi, stating that they plan to announce the vehicle in 2023 and begin mass production in 2024.

Given that Tesla was originally aiming for a 2023 unveil, a late 2024 date appears realistic. However, now it appears that the Robotaxi and the next-gen vehicle will share a lot in common, meaning that a production date for the Robotaxi can be similar to the next-gen vehicle, which is currently slated to begin in "late 2025".

The difficulty in releasing an autonomous taxi, as the Robotaxi is meant to be, is the self-driving aspect. While Tesla has made great strides with FSD v12, the first version to come out of "beta," it's still a level-2 system that requires active driver supervision. A fully autonomous vehicle is still a big leap from where Tesla's FSD is right now, but as we saw with the jump from FSD v11 to v12, a lot can change in the next 18 to 24 months.

While we expect Tesla to remain focused on bringing its cheaper, next-gen vehicle to market ahead of potential competitors, the Robotaxi's production date can continue to shift in line with Tesla's progress on FSD.

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— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2024

Master Plan Part Deux

The history of Tesla’s Robotaxi starts with CEO Elon Musk's Master Plan Part Deux, published in 2016.

At the time the concept was touted as normal Teslas with full self-driving (FSD) capability.

Once Tesla achieved Full Self-Driving, they would create a “Tesla Network” taxi service that would make use of both Tesla-owned vehicles and customer cars that would be hired out when not in use.

In April 2022, however, at the inauguration of Tesla’s new factory in Austin, Texas, Musk made headlines by announcing that the company would be working on a dedicated Robotaxi vehicle that would be “quite futuristic-looking”.

A Variety of Robotaxis

Once we get to a world of "robotaxis," it makes sense to continue evolving the interior of the vehicle to suit customer needs such as adding face-to-face seating, big sliding doors providing easy access, 4-wheel steering, easier cleaning, etc.

Tesla could even create a variety of Robotaxis that help meet specific needs. For example, Tesla could offer a vehicle that is better suited for resting, which could let you sleep on the way to your destination.

Another vehicle could be similar to a home office, offering multiple monitors and accessories that let you begin working as soon as you step inside the vehicle. Features such as these could bring huge quality of life improvements for some; giving people an hour or more back in their day.

The variety of Robotaxis doesn't need to end there. There could be other vehicles that are made specifically for entertainment such as watching a movie, or others that allow you to relax and converse with friends, much like you'd expect in a limousine.

Lowest Cost Per Mile

During Tesla's Q1 2022 financial results call, Musk stated that its robotaxi would be focused on cost per mile, and would be highly optimized for autonomy - essentially confirming that it will not include a steering wheel.

“There are a number of other innovations around it that I think are quite exciting, but it is fundamentally optimized to achieve the lowest fully considered cost per mile or km when counting everything”, he said.

During the call, Tesla acknowledged that its vehicles are largely inaccessible for many people given their high cost and he sees the introduction of Robotaxis as a way of providing customers with “by far the lowest cost-per-mile of transport that they’ve ever experienced. The CEO believes that the vehicle is going to result in a cost per mile cheaper than a subsidized bus ticket. If Tesla can achieve this, it could drastically change the entire automotive industry and redefine car ownership. Is Tesla's future still in selling vehicles or providing a robotaxi service?

FSD Sensor Suite

Tesla hasn't revealed anything about the sensor suite that they're considering for the robotaxi, but given all of their work in vision and progress in FSD, it's expected to be the same or similar to what is available today, potentially with additional cameras or faster processing.

However, back in 2022, Musk gave this warning: “With respect to full self-driving, of any technology development I’ve been involved in, I’ve never really seen more false dawns or where it seems like we’re going to break through, but we don’t, as I’ve seen in full self-driving,” said Musk. “And ultimately what it comes down to is that to sell full self-driving, you actually have to solve real-world artificial intelligence, which nobody has solved. The whole road system is made for biological neural nets and eyes. And so actually, when you think about it, in order to solve driving, we have to solve neural nets and cameras to a degree of capability that is on par with, or really exceeds humans. And I think we will achieve that this year.”

With the Robotaxi unveil now approaching, it may not be long before we find out more details about Tesla's plan for the future and its truly autonomous vehicles.

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Tesla's Project E41: New Model Y With 20% Cost Reduction Coming in 2026

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According to Chinese blog posts from earlier last week, now vetted by Reuters, Tesla intends to produce a cut-down version of the Model Y, initially for the Chinese market, sometime in 2026.

This follows the launch of Tesla’s cut-down Model 3 for Mexico, as well as news that Tesla intends to launch their new next-gen model sometime in the near future.

Cut Down, But How?

The new Model Y, internally referred to as Project E41, is designed to lower the entry price of Tesla’s popular SUV—one of the most compelling options on the market due to its size, range, and versatility, especially following the launch of the refreshed Model Y.

To achieve this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to reduce the Model Y’s total cost by nearly 20%, according to reports from China. While exact changes remain unknown, we can make informed guesses based on the cost-saving measures Tesla implemented in the scaled-down Model 3 for Mexico.

Textile Seats and Trim

One of the most noticeable changes in the cost-cut version of the Model 3 in Mexico was the removal of vegan leather throughout the interior. In its place, Tesla opted for a durable textile fabric for the seats, reducing material costs. Additionally, any Alcantara trim pieces were replaced with the same textile in various areas.

No Heated or Cooled Seats

Another major cost-cutting measure was the removal of heated and cooled seats, along with the heated steering wheel. While these feature reductions may seem minor, eliminating them reduces various things, such as electrical components, harnesses, and ductwork that are required for seat ventilation.

No Rear Screen

One of the more unexpected changes in the reduced-cost Model 3 was the removal of the rear screen, despite it being powered by the same front infotainment computer as the front display. Given that the screen functions primarily as an additional display rather than a standalone system, the cost to include it is extremely low. It’s one of those really smart additions Tesla has added that increases value for the consumer with minimal cost to Tesla.

Tesla is unlikely to redesign or modify the vehicle’s wiring harness for this change, meaning a rear screen could potentially be retrofitted later by the customer. Based on replacement part estimates, the screen likely costs Tesla between $5 and $20 per vehicle, which acts as a secondary monitor for the infotainment computer.

Ambient Lighting, Acoustic Glass, Speakers

The final set of changes also focuses on the interior. Tesla replaced the RGB-capable ambient lighting with a simpler white-only version—likely saving only a few dollars per vehicle. While this may seem like a minor and somewhat unexpected cut, it could serve as an upsell opportunity to the standard RWD variant.

Additionally, Tesla reduced the use of dual-pane acoustic glass, now limiting it to just the front windows and windshield. This change drastically cuts costs but also affects cabin noise levels. The dual-pane glass played a key role in making the refreshed Model Y noticeably quieter, so this downgrade will likely bring noise insulation closer to that of the original Model Y.

As for audio, Tesla scaled down the speaker system in the Mexican Model 3 from 17 speakers to just nine, while also removing the subwoofers and one of the audio amplifiers. While this cuts costs due to wiring and speakers, it also has a large impact on the audio quality in the vehicle.

Project E41 is Not the Next-Gen Model

It’s important to note that Project E41 is not the same as the upcoming, more affordable next-gen platform, which is internally referred to as Project Redwood. While Project E41 focuses on a reduced-cost version of the Model Y, Project Redwood is designed to test Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities, using their innovative unboxed assembly method to reduce both costs and production time. The goal is to create a vehicle that is smaller and more affordable, while also keeping it safe and capable of self-driving.

Tesla previously confirmed that they plan to unveil new models—distinct from cut-down versions of the Model 3 or Model Y—during their Q4 2024 Earnings Call. However, the executive team has been careful not to divulge too many details about the upcoming model during interviews. This suggests there may be a lot more that has yet to be unveiled.

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The Original Design and Inspiration of the Tesla Cybertruck

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The Cybertruck is something that’s completely out of this world—so much so that when people are unfamiliar with it, their first reaction is often, “What is that?”

And stepping inside only reinforces that impression. With its hidden-button doors and sleek, futuristic interior, the Cybertruck truly feels like something from another world. Recently, Tesla’s Chief Vehicle Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, revealed that an image shared by the official Cybertruck account on X is actually the original sketch that inspired its radical design.

Many Iterations

The Cybertruck has undergone numerous design iterations, and we’ve had the chance to explore some of Tesla’s earliest concepts for a truck that would define the future in many ways. These insights come from Walter Isaacson, who detailed them in his biography of Elon Musk.

Originally shared in 2023, the images revealed a dramatically different vision—one without the now-iconic angular rear sail. The design drew inspiration from various art forms, including video games, books, and movies—essentially, anywhere sci-fi had imagined a sleek, futuristic, or rugged truck.

The Nighthawk

The infamous F-117 Nighthawk.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II | http://www.defenselink.mil/

The design that ultimately made it to production wasn’t one of those early concepts. Instead, it was inspired by none other than the infamous American F-117 Nighthawk—a now-retired, single-seat stealth bomber developed by the secretive Skunk Works for the U.S. military. As the world’s first stealth aircraft, the F-117 revolutionized aviation with its groundbreaking design.

Much like the Cybertruck’s deluge of new technologies, the F-117 brought innovations that reshaped modern aircraft design. Its angular, faceted surfaces were engineered to deflect radar waves and reduce its infrared signature—features that directly influenced the Cybertruck’s distinctive geometry. When wrapped in black, the resemblance to the Nighthawk is undeniable.

Now, while we can’t say for sure if the Cybertruck is truly “stealthy”—since it turns heads wherever it goes—it does reflect radar waves. That said, don’t expect it to help you evade speed cameras or slip past the police unnoticed.

Super Stealthy

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The Nighthawk’s angular design also required advanced computerization—because, at first, no one believed it could even fly. Without its onboard computers to fine-tune the pilot’s inputs, it simply wouldn’t have. Similarly, the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system and rear-wheel steering give it an unexpected level of agility—especially for a massive stainless-steel vehicle that’s this fast.

The Cybertruck is truly one of a kind—there’s nothing else like it on the road today. Franz von Holzhausen delivered on Elon Musk’s vision of a truck from the future, and Tesla’s engineering team brought that vision to life in a way that few thought possible.

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