The Tesla Robotaxi revolution might begin in 2024, placing other drivers alongside a fleet of cars that don't even have a steering wheel. Whether the world is ready for this innovation could be a moot point if regulatory approval is denied. Tesla's Full Self-Driving(FSD) is a wild and wonderful technology that's equally fascinating and terrifying.
Tesla's FSD software is beta testing since it still relies on super-attentive drivers to be ready to swerve or slam on the brakes if the computer makes a serious error. A Tesla car's onboard computer is very fast and has the ability to see in multiple directions at once, something that gives it an advantage over human drivers. At the same time, it can't identify dangers and vulnerabilities as quickly and make value judgments as well as people can. That might be possible in the future but it's hard to know when sufficient reliability will come.
Talk of a future Robotaxi has started to solidify with Elon Musk suggesting, during Tesla's first-quarter earnings call, that production could start as early as 2024. This would be a fully autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals. The idea is that Tesla's Full Self-Driving will be ready to drive itself, with passengers, right alongside other vehicles on existing roads soon after. This is a very ambitious goal for that reason alone.
Can Tesla Make A Robotaxi?
Tesla's ability to create a Robotaxi in 2024 is not at all in question. The vehicle could be produced this year simply by reconfiguring a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y to allow two front-seat passengers. Clearly, Tesla recognizes this is an opportunity to achieve much more. Musk's stated goal with Tesla is to move the planet away from fossil fuels and toward sustainability. Whether that is hype or truth, it's a way for Tesla to continue growing at a faster pace. A viable Robotaxi would lead to fleet-sized orders and could revolutionize transportation.
The biggest hurdle is regulatory approval and FSD needs to be better than a human driver by 2024 for it to make sense for a Robotaxi to be made. Musk goes on to say that this car will offer the lowest cost per mile and the most efficient design ever made by Tesla. When the Robotaxi does hit the roads in sufficient quantities, it could greatly reduce the need for personal vehicles and challenge Tesla's other vehicles. When millions of Tesla Robotaxis are available for super-fast transportation without the need to own a car, it may start to feel like the future has finally arrived.
Source: Tesla/YouTube