Tesla Robovan

Tesla Robovan
Overview
ManufacturerTesla, Inc.
DesignerFranz von Holzhausen
Body and chassis
Body styleVan

The Tesla Robovan is an electric autonomous van planned for future development by Tesla.[1] Announced in October 2024, the vehicle is being designed to carry up to 20 passengers.[2]

History

Background

The Tesla Master Plan Part Deux, released in 2016, suggested the development of a "people-mover,"[3] and in 2022 Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke of the development of a "highly configurable Robovan for people & cargo."[4]

The future large vehicle was teased at Tesla's 2023 Investor Day in March 2023,[1] and the Tesla Master Plan Part 3, released a month later, outlined the production of a commercial van as part of the two vehicles it was going to launch along with a robotaxi.[5]

Announcement

A concept version of the autonomous electric Robovan was unveiled on 10 October 2024 at the "We, Robot" event at Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles, with a prototype driving up near the main stage, and 14 people exited the vehicle. The Cybercab and the first free-walking Optimus humanoid robots were the principal features of the event.[1]

The Robovan can carry up to 20 passengers and also work separately as a cargo van.[6] TechCrunch said the vehicle had a "retro-futuristic look" with no steering wheel.[1] Tesla CEO Elon Musk said "We’re going to make this, and it’s going to look like that."[1][6] The Robovan is intended to operate on the Tesla Network, Tesla's ridehailing service for self-driving vehicles.[2]

No further production or cost details were released.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Elon Musk unveils the Robovan: the biggest surprise from Tesla's We, Robot event". TechCrunch. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Tesla's robovan is the surprise of the night". The Verge. 10 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Master Plan, Part Deux". tesla.com. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Tesla Robovan could arrive in 2024 based on Cybertruck platform". drive.com.au. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Master Plan Part 3". 5 April 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "The Tesla Robovan Is Elon Musk's Vision of Group Transport for the Future". roadandtrack.com. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.