Watch Tesla's Cybercab and Robovan unveiling full replay here

11 October 2024

You can almost feel the electricity in the air as Tesla prepared to unveil its highly anticipated Robotaxi. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and people's patience. His claims about a fully autonomous future have fueled excitement and controversy in equal measure. But did Tesla really deliver on its promise of a driverless revolution?

Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) software, first introduced nine years ago, has yet to achieve its namesake. Despite this, the company is forging ahead with its Robotaxi ambitions, promising a vehicle that may completely dispense with traditional controls like steering wheel and pedals. Musk's determination to position Tesla as a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics is clear. It's either a strategic or desperate shift in strategy as the company faces increasing competition in the electric vehicle market.

Industry experts remain unconvinced. Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina specializing in autonomous vehicles, voices a common concern: "Why does Tesla think we're so stupid?" He argues that Tesla has yet to demonstrate the necessary technology for safe, unsupervised autonomous driving, even in controlled environments.

Smith's skepticism is echoed by other analysts. Jeff Osborne of TD Cowen, while anticipating the unveiling of the "Cybercab" believed the event will be "light on details" regarding self-driving technology and he wasn't entirely wrong. He highlighted the "ongoing scrutiny" surrounding FSD and Tesla's Autopilot system, emphasizing the need for Musk to address concerns about their capabilities and safety.

Despite the obvious doubts, some experts remained optimistic. Dan Ives of Wedbush predicted a "game-changing" event, going so far as to estimate a $1 trillion standalone valuation for Tesla's AI and FSD endeavors. He believes that the development of robotaxis and a potential $25,000 EV could significantly boost demand and propel Tesla's annual deliveries beyond 2 million units.

This optimism, however, is tempered by the reality of Tesla's current challenges. The company's EV lineup is aging, and Osborne notes that the "politicization of Elon" may be impacting the brand's appeal among certain demographics. Tesla has acknowledged that the development of its Robotaxi platform could lead to a lower annual growth rate in the near term, a prospect that has already unsettled some investors.

So did Tesla deliver a groundbreaking advancement in autonomous technology, or did we just witness the start of another series of overpromising and under-delivering? Get your popcorn, coffee, or any beverage of your liking and check out the full event's replay above.