Thursday’s occasion on the Warner Bros studio close to Los Angeles, California, is titled “We, Robotic” – an obvious nod to the “I, Robotic” science-fiction quick tales by American author Isaac Asimov, but in addition echoes Musk’s insistence that Tesla “needs to be regarded as an AI robotics firm” somewhat than an automaker.
These attending will embrace traders, inventory analysts and Tesla followers. Topping their checklist of questions might be how rapidly can Tesla ramp up robotaxi manufacturing, at what value, and, crucially, how a lot cash it could make from the taxi enterprise.
Eyes will even be on progress the corporate has made with the partial automation software program it markets as Full Self-Driving that firm watchers count on to underpin its robotaxis.
Musk might additionally give particulars on cheaper variations of Tesla’s present EVs in addition to updates on its humanoid robotic Optimus.
MISSED PROMISES
Musk stated in 2019 he was “very assured” the corporate would have operational robotaxis by the following 12 months. After missed guarantees, Musk this 12 months diverted his focus to creating the automobiles after scrapping plans to construct a smaller, cheaper automobile extensively seen as important to countering slowing EV demand.
Tesla is susceptible to posting its first-ever decline in deliveries this 12 months as shopping for incentives have failed to draw sufficient prospects to its ageing EV lineup. Steep worth cuts meant to offset excessive rates of interest have additionally squeezed revenue margins.
To persuade traders that Tesla can sustain the blistering tempo of progress it reported a number of quarters again, analysts stated Musk wants to indicate a prototype and supply detailed plans on how Tesla can overtake rivals resembling Alphabet’s Waymo, which operates uncrewed robotaxis ferrying paying passengers in a number of US cities.
Difficult expertise and tight regulation have led to billion of {dollars} in loss for different firms trying to crack the robotaxi market, forcing some to close store.
Some are nonetheless pushing, together with Normal Motors’ Cruise, Amazon’s Zoox and Chinese language companies resembling WeRide.
In contrast to costly {hardware} resembling lidar that others use, Musk is relying solely on cameras and AI to run FSD to maintain prices down. However FSD, which requires fixed driver consideration, has confronted regulatory and authorized scrutiny with a minimum of two deadly accidents involving the expertise.
