Tesla is about to reveal its self-driving robotaxi<\/a>, a purpose-built autonomous vehicle that\u2019s supposed to reposition the company as a leader in AI and robotics. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The new robotaxi will be revealed at Warner Bros. movie studios in Burbank, California<\/a>, where Tesla has reportedly been collecting fresh mapping data in the lead-up to the event. Tesla has a lot of ground to cover to prove it can launch a driverless vehicle that can compete with robotaxi rivals like Waymo and Cruise. And Elon Musk is expected to outline his vision for the Tesla Network, in which Tesla owners can add their autonomous vehicles to a robotaxi fleet when they\u2019re not using them. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tesla was originally planning to reveal the robotaxi in August<\/a>, but Musk pushed the date to October 10th to allow for more time to work on the prototype. The company could also have some surprises up its sleeve. Could a cheaper Tesla be coming? Maybe there\u2019s time being set aside to reveal the rumored \u201cJuniper\u201d Model Y? Perhaps a self-driving van?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tesla sent out invites<\/a> to the event with the title \u201cWe, Robot,\u201d a reference to Isaac Asimov\u2019s seminal work I, Robot<\/em>. It could also indicate that we\u2019ll get an update on the company\u2019s humanoid Optimus bot. But we\u2019ll have to watch the livestream to find out, as the company has only invited a limited number of people, including investors and influencers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tesla\u2019s \u201cWe, Robot\u201d robotaxi presentation will take place on Thursday, October 10th, at 10PM ET \/ 9PM CT \/ 7PM PT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tesla will host a livestream of the robotaxi event on X<\/a>. The company will have some shareholders at the event who were selected in a raffle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since 2019, Musk has promised that Full Self-Driving-capable vehicles will eventually be able to make money for their owners by operating autonomously on a \u201cTesla Network\u201d to chauffeur people around. He promised that a \u201cmillion\u201d robotaxis would be driving around by 2020, but that goalpost kept moving further down the field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although Tesla\u2019s Level 2 driver-assist system is pretty capable, it has yet to prove it can go driverless with just a camera-based vision system, compared to existing robotaxi companies that use multiple redundant sensors, including lidar. The robotaxi, which Bloomberg<\/em> reports will be a two-seater with butterfly doors, will supplement privately owned vehicles that are added to the Tesla Network. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n A heavily camouflaged and weirdly shaped yellow car was spied on site that may have more than just cameras. The company did buy a bunch of lidar sensors from Luminar<\/a> in order to validate its robotaxi testing. Musk has called lidars a \u201ccrutch\u201d for autonomous vehicles and insisted that the camera-based Tesla Vision system is the way forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A lot is riding on the success of Tesla\u2019s robotaxi. Musk is pivoting the company to robots and autonomous systems just as the company\u2019s EV sales have faltered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tesla\u2019s humanoid Optimus robot is also likely going to get some time in the spotlight. The robot is supposed to be able to perform \u201cuseful tasks\u201d by the end of this year<\/a>. And Musk said it\u2019ll be a product you could buy by the end of 2025. As with all lofty goals, take it with a grain of salt \u2014 but we can expect to see an update to Optimus on Thursday. After all, the event is called \u201cWe, Robot.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Musk has indicated to shareholders that a new and cheaper Tesla is back on the menu after early reports suggested it was being scrapped. A $25,000 Tesla could disrupt the EV market by finally fulfilling the demand for cheaper electric cars and could compete with lower-cost Chinese EVs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, Tesla could also release a more affordable Model 3 to fill that market instead of creating a promised cheaper \u201cGen 3\u201d platform. Tesla recently discontinued the standard range Model 3, which was its cheapest vehicle under $40,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The last time Tesla had an Apple-style \u201cone more thing\u201d surprise was the reveal of the new Tesla Roadster at the Tesla Semi event in 2017. The Roadster still hasn\u2019t entered production, but now Musk says that\u2019ll happen next year<\/a>. We could also just get an update on the expected \u201cJuniper\u201d redesign of the Model Y. <\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhen is Tesla\u2019s Robotaxi Event<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
How to watch Tesla\u2019s Robotaxi Event<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
This robotaxi isn\u2019t your car<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Optimus up to?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
New car surprise<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n