Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the highly anticipated Tesla Cybercab, a futuristic two-door electric robotaxi. During an event in Burbank, California, Musk announced that production for the Cybercab could begin in 2026, with a price tag of less than R525,000. As usual, Musk’s ambitious timelines were met with some skepticism, as Tesla has a history of missing self-imposed deadlines.
The unveiling took place on Thursday evening, with Musk arriving at the event in one of the Cybercab prototypes. The event itself was delayed, kicking off almost an hour late. Musk explained on X (formerly Twitter) that the delay was due to a medical emergency involving an audience member.
The Cybercab, which is designed as a two-door sedan, was not the only vehicle Musk showed off. He also presented a concept for the Tesla Robovan—a futuristic-looking vehicle capable of transporting up to 20 passengers. While the Robovan captured the crowd’s imagination, no specific details were provided regarding its production or availability.
Musk’s Ambitious Vision
As always, Musk’s announcement was filled with excitement and lofty promises. He stated that the Cybercab could be available to consumers by 2026, though he admitted to being “a little optimistic on timeframes.” He humorously hedged his projection by saying it will be released before 2027.
However, the presentation was notably short on technical details, especially regarding the development of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. Musk has long touted Tesla’s ambition to create fully autonomous vehicles, but the technology remains a work in progress. Despite the absence of specifics, Musk assured that FSD advancements could be available to Model 3 and Model Y owners in Texas and California by next year.
Tesla investor Nancy Tengler, CEO of Laffer Tengler Investments, attended the event and expressed enthusiasm for the Cybercab’s concept, stating, “The concepts were all grand. Is the idea super cool? Absolutely.” Still, questions remain about Tesla’s ability to deliver these innovations on time, given past delays.
A History of Missed Timelines
Tesla has often struggled to meet the timelines Musk proposes, and the Cybercab is no exception. The robotaxi event itself was originally scheduled for two months earlier but was postponed after Musk ordered last-minute changes to the prototype. It is yet to be seen whether Tesla will meet its latest 2026 deadline for the Cybercab.
While the Cybercab’s affordability at under R525,000 is enticing, the lack of detail regarding how Tesla will improve its self-driving technology leaves room for doubt. As with many of Musk’s grand visions, only time will tell if the Cybercab can meet the high expectations set by the CEO.
For now, Tesla fans and investors alike are left wondering whether the Cybercab will revolutionise the transport industry as promised—or if it will become another project that takes years longer to materialise.
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