On Wednesday, Tesla is reportedly set to unveil its electric vehicle (EV) robotaxi at Warner Bros. Discovery studio in California on October 10th.
The event signals a milestone for the EV giant as it reveals its advancements in autonomous driving tech and its potential to transform the ride-hailing landscape.
Tesla has been dominant in autonomous driving, with CEO Elon Musk upholding that the firm’s cars can operate as self-driving robotaxis.
According to reports, the company has prioritized autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years. It is also shifting away from its core business of selling EVs to customers.
Furthermore, sources noted that Tesla is developing a ride-hailing app that will use a fleet of upcoming robotaxis and consumer vehicles. Nonetheless, the target audience for this service has not yet been revealed.
However, despite its dominance in autonomous driving tech, the firm has faced criticism for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features, which are under probe due to safety concerns.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the robotaxi concept would face rivalry from other firms, like Verne, which achieved an autonomous taxi concept last June.
In other areas, companies like GM-affiliated Cruise and Waymo are already providing driverless taxi services in American cities.
Model Y of Tesla Plans to Overhaul with Six-Seater in China
Tesla is reportedly preparing to unveil an updated Model Y, codenamed Juniper, with a six-seater vehicle, which will be released exclusively in China.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that a three-row, seven-seater of the Model Y will roll out outside the US.
However, sources noted that the six-seater Juniper is still in development. Numerous high-end electric sports utility vehicles have a six-seat configuration, and Tesla aims to boost the appeal of its known crossover offering.
On the other hand, the company has not offered a six-seater Model Y because it was intended for its flagship, Model X. The vehicle comes with a five-seater, but purchasers can add another seat at a $6,500.00 option.
