https://preview.redd.it/1rivefblvjud1.jpg?width=1657&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=871fb1b65362e9205972dfeefa50903fc8e8110a
***Photo above*** *– WestWorld autonomous rideshare, as imagined in 2020. Telsa Cyber-taxi, as imagined by Elon Musk in 2024. A step backwards?*
Okay, before you object, Musk actually DID call it the Cyber-taxi. Go back and watch the press conference. Given the half dozen recalls of the Cybertruck, and insurance coverage cancellations by major auto insurers, you’d think ANY name would be better. You would think . . .
In any case, Musk’s fortune is way down. “All the way down” (Westworld quote). Elon lost another $20 billion in a single day. See link below.
What else is wrong with the cyber-robo-taxi, besides the name? First, let’s acknowledge the good things. Elon did NOT claim it was bulletproof, or accidently break the window with a brick because he wasn’t allowed to fire live ammo at it to prove his claim. And the cyber-taxi (smaller than a model 3) won’t cost $60,000 (current Cybertruck out the door price). The cyber taxi is estimated to cost $30,000, when it finally arrives in 2027. Stop laughing. Elon actually said all those things too.
In the first 30 seconds it was obvious this car was DOA. Only 2 seats? TWO? What’s the target market for this? Certainly not families needing a taxi. Or a small group of business travelers at the airport. Pub crawl, anyone? You’ll need 3 cyber taxis for your party of six.
Did I mention that it appears impossible to fit full sized airline luggage into the shallow “boot”?
There are no door handles on the outside. The doors open automatically based on some electronic signal. Perhaps your phone sends a Bluetooth confirmation code to prove that you’re the actual passenger, and they open like the wings of a dover. But would you actually get into a “pod” without door handles on the outside, and trust that it has manual door releases on the inside? In case someone starts shooting, I mean.
But the worst news is right on the dash. I’m not griping that it has no steering wheel or brake pedal. I would have predicted that. For $30,000 you can’t expect frills and luxuries like those. But only ONE screen, in the center of the dash? For two passengers? Are they going to play paper/scissors/rock to decide who gets to use it? Even when I fly economy class on the cheapest American air carriers, I get my own screen on the back of the seat in front of me. The cyber taxi is lower status than flying coach on Spirit. And it won’t accommodate your checked luggage, either.
I’m just sayin’ . . .
[**Tesla Stock Tumbles After Underwhelming Robotaxi Presentation – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) – Benzinga**](https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41303150/tesla-stock-tumbles-after-underwhelming-robotaxi-presentation)
Source: baltimore-aureole