Tesla unveils Robotaxi, a driverless minibus and Optimus robot, as shares fall 9%

Tesla’s "We, Robot" event was Thursday last week and the company had three major reveals: the long-awaited Robotaxi, an electric autonomous minibus, and the humanoid Optimus robot. Despite the groundbreaking announcements, Tesla's stock unexpectedly dropped by 9% following the event.

Image: Tesla Inc.

The Robotaxi

In a highly anticipated reveal, Tesla showcased its "Cybercab" Robotaxi, a compact, fully autonomous two-seater with butterfly doors reminiscent of Back to the Future. The Cybercab is a purpose-built driverless vehicle with no steering wheel, pedals, or controls. Its sleek, minimalist design reflects Tesla’s existing electric vehicle (EV) lineup but with more rounded features compared to its Cybertruck.

One notable aspect missing from the Robotaxi is a visible charging port, as it will rely on wireless charging technology. Elon Musk emphasized that this innovation will streamline user experience and reduce the need for traditional charging infrastructure.

The Cybercab is expected to be priced competitively, below $30,000, and is slated to begin production in 2026, with a rollout planned for 2027 in areas that permit full self-driving. However, given Musk’s history of timeline delays—such as the last-minute design change that postponed the "We, Robot" event—industry analysts have expressed skepticism about the ambitious timeline.

The Robovan

In addition to the Robotaxi, Tesla introduced a prototype of the Robovan, an electric autonomous minibus capable of carrying up to 20 passengers or cargo. Musk described it as an ideal solution for public transportation or large deliveries, although no timeline or pricing details were provided.

With its art-deco-inspired design, the Robovan stands out as a futuristic transport option aimed at revolutionizing urban mobility. However, much like the Robotaxi, it remains in the concept phase, and the absence of a clear production schedule left some investors wary.

The Optimus Robot

The Optimus robot, a humanoid robot Tesla first hinted at in 2021, also made a reappearance during the event. Designed for manual labor, the robot is envisioned as a solution for tasks that are repetitive or hazardous for humans, from manufacturing to household chores. The prototype presented showed improvements over earlier iterations, but details about its real-world applications or potential release dates were scarce.

Musk’s optimism vs reality

While Tesla’s announcements painted an exciting vision of a future powered by autonomous technologies, the lack of concrete timelines and production-ready models appears to have rattled investors. Tesla’s share price plummeted by 9% after the event, suggesting that Wall Street remains cautious about the company's ability to meet its promises on schedule.