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Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles

Tesla's "We, Robot" Event

Ep. 543
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Description:

In this episode of Kilowatt, we delve into Tesla's much-anticipated We, Robot event, a gathering particularly focused on their latest offerings in the realm of autonomous vehicles, including the much-discussed Cyber Cab. I share my personal challenges leading up to this episode, highlighting the technical difficulties I encountered that caused considerable frustration—even leading to dreams about the event itself! Despite these issues, I aim to provide a comprehensive overview of Tesla's vision for the future of transport.


We kick off our discussion with the critical details surrounding the event itself, noting that Tesla has a history of starting late. However, this time the delay was attributed to a medical emergency in the audience. I share some interesting viewing statistics—approximately 108,000 viewers on YouTube and around 2 million on X. We then embark on a play-by-play of the event, starting with the introduction of Elon Musk by Tesla’s head designer, Franz von Holzhausen. Musk's dramatic entrance in a Cyber Cab adds to the excitement, setting the stage for what promises to be a significant announcement regarding unsupervised full self-driving capabilities.


Musk makes bold claims about the transformative potential of autonomous vehicles, underlining the inefficiencies of current car usage—averaging only about 10 hours per week. He presents autonomous vehicles as a means to significantly increase efficiency and reduce the costs associated with car ownership, including insurance and maintenance. The Cyber Cab, unlike traditional vehicles, bears no steering wheel or pedals, granting passengers an exhilarating ride experience and a taste of the future of mobility. I discuss the aesthetics and functionality of the Cyber Cab, which merges features of both the Model 3 and Cybertruck while emphasizing its lack of rear windows and distinctive butterfly doors.


As Musk touches on the broader implications of autonomous driving, he highlights the potential for cityscapes to shift dramatically. With fewer vehicles needing parking spaces, we delve into the fascinating prospect of converting parking lots into green spaces, creating a more pleasant urban environment. During the presentation, we also learn about the new Roboven design, which aims to serve high-density transport needs. I provide insights into this intriguing vehicle that functions as a cross between a mini-bus and a futuristic transport solution, reflecting Tesla's ambition to revolutionize public transit.


Musk's vision extends beyond vehicles, underscored by his introduction of the Optimus robot—a humanoid robot powered by the same technology that drives Tesla’s cars. He asserts that this robot will be capable of performing everyday tasks and may be available at a price point equivalent to that of a car. While I share excitement for the possibilities, I maintain a healthy skepticism about the timeline and feasibility of these advancements, noting that much of what was presented served more as a status update rather than groundbreaking news.


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