Elon Musk claims Tesla will unveil its robotaxi on August 8th

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced on X that the long-anticipated Tesla robotaxi will finally be unveiled on August 8th.

The revelation coincided with reports from Reuters that Tesla had scrapped plans to produce a more affordable electric vehicle, rumored to be priced around $25,000. Musk reportedly conveyed his vision to prioritize an autonomous vehicle that would render conventional vehicles obsolete.

The concept of a Tesla robotaxi has been circulating for years. Musk previously teased the idea during the unveiling of Tesla’s third Master Plan in 2023, showcasing a completely covered vehicle. He envisioned Tesla owners generating revenue by allowing their autonomous vehicles to operate as part of the "Tesla Network," picking up and dropping off passengers.

Despite Musk's ambitious timelines, including promises of Full Self-Driving capabilities by certain deadlines, critics have raised concerns about the technology's safety and Tesla's tendency to overstate its capabilities. The company has faced scrutiny and legal challenges related to accidents involving vehicles equipped with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features.