We, Robot Special Issue

Hello! The Tesla “We, Robot” event happened last night - which you probably already know unless you’ve been living under a rock. you are dedicated! Event went live in my area at around 11:00pm so I was sound asleep. Interesting to be waking up and seeing if the hype was real as well as gathering people’s opinions.

If you missed the event, it was streamed live on X and you can check it out here:
PS: Do yourself a favour and skip to ~the 53rd minute of the video.

Here are my thoughts as I watched the livestream:

• No one better than Franz to start things off with a short inspirational piece and then hand off to Elon.

• The Cybercab (AKA Robotaxi?) has a futuristic design and you can see that the rear light has been inspired from developments from other Tesla vehicles.

• Then I noticed the interesting front light beam cutting through the darkness. Not sure what that is exactly yet, but we’ll see soon enough hopefully. Is it just it’s lights? Didn’t look like that at the beginning.

• No dance moves. 👎️ 

• The event hosted 20 robotaxis/cybercabs.

• Cybercabs have no driver, fully autonomous, no steering wheel or pedals.

• Elon goes on to discuss the current transportation inconveniences such as costs, traffic and the unsustainability.

• Elon elaborates that cars are not used 100% of the time and when they aren’t being used, they could be helpful elsewhere.

• Elon says that autonomy will be cheaper, save time and is much safer.

• Cost estimated to be around $30,000 USD… WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT!

• Elon provides an example that someone could manage a fleet of cybercabs as a business.

• Start fully autonomous unsupervised FSD in Texas and California in 2025.

• Gives 2026 optimistic time frame to have the Cybercab in production. But the Model 3 and Model Y is set to provide fully autonomous FSD by then where people can experience a robot-taxi. Then Model S and Model X.

• Needs to be provided approval within their geographical location.

• Millions of Tesla’s are currently gathering a ton of data for training data making it 20 times safer than humans (ie no texting, distractions and has 360° view).

• Future proofing by overspec’ing which also allows for combined computing for when vehicles aren’t being used. “If it’s there than you may as well use it.”

• Shows the interior of the Cybercab… no controls. What about heating/cooling?

• People who are there in person will be able to experience the Cybercab in person.

• Introducing inductive charging. No charge port, wireless charging only.

• Discusses how parking lots could be turned into parks, makes a joke about taking the “ing lots” out of parking lots… LOL.

• Then comes in the Robovan or as Elon pronounced it “Rubovin” weird… It can hold 20 people or a lot of goods! Interior looks really sleek.

• Elon Musk wants to change the looks of the vehicles on the roads and says the future should look like the future.

• Speaking of Robots…. all the developments that have been progressed for the EVs, also applies to the humanoid Optimus.

• Optimus (would the plural be Optimi?) walks out and Elon explains that people can own these and that he expects them to cost less than EVs. Get them to watch your kids or walk your dog.

• The Optimus robots will be amongst the crowd at the event.

• Fade out to the Robots dancing like Elon…

Now… I’ve be going through the X feed so that you don’t have to! And collected some of the coolest / most interesting photos, videos and thoughts/opinions amongst the community.

A look at the rear of the Robotaxi:

Robotaxi and Robovan details:

Talking with a Tesla Optimus:

Riding in the Robotaxi:

Interesting take on making this vehicle driveable:

Totally agree with this use case. We all know that as people age, they are typically worse drivers. Also allows independence for those who typically need assistance. Perhaps the Optimus could also provide care and provide independence to those same people?

Side by side, I don’t know which one is the Robovan (Rubovin).

Optimus pouring drinks:

Some are saying Optimus was teleoperated… Hmmm!?

OKAY that’s all I have for you related to the We, Robot event. Lots of information to digest but at the same time not enough information. We still don’t have solid dates, solid prices or really much else. These products build a lot of hype but there comes a time when people will expect these to become a reality. Tesla is doing great things. Can anyone else catch them!

Please reach out to me on X or reply to this email with your thoughts on what you’ve seen and what you are / aren’t excited about!

- Michael Timmons