Tesla has announced plans to commence production of its autonomous electric vehicle, the Cybercab, at its Austin, Texas factory in April 2024. CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Cybercab will be designed without traditional vehicle controls like pedals, steering wheel, and side mirrors, optimizing it for cost-effective autonomous driving.
Despite previous assurances, Tesla has yet to demonstrate large-scale autonomous driving capabilities without human supervision. Musk’s announcement contradicts statements made by Tesla’s chairwoman, Robyn Denholm, who mentioned a backup plan including a steering wheel and pedals for the Cybercab. The company had initially considered a version with traditional controls but decided on a minimalist approach.
Musk highlighted the Cybercab’s production efficiency, boasting a rapid 10-second cycle time on the manufacturing line compared to the one-minute cycle for a Model Y. This advancement could lead to an annual output of 2 to 3 million Cybercabs, potentially shaping the future of transportation.
Source: TechCrunch