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Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled his ambitious vision for a future filled with self-driving vehicles at a high-profile event in California on Thursday. The event showcased designs for Tesla's robotaxis and a larger driverless vehicle dubbed the Robovan, both promising a future where cars have no steering wheels and parking lots can be converted into parks.
Musk, known for his optimistic predictions, once again laid out a bold timeline, suggesting that these futuristic vehicles could be on the road within a few years. He hinted that fully autonomous vehicles might be operational by 2026 in states like California and Texas, pending regulatory approval. Despite past delays, Musk's vision continues to excite fans and investors alike.
The event featured models of the new robotaxi and Robovan, which both sport a sleek, metallic design reminiscent of sci-fi movies. Musk referenced "Blade Runner", although he noted that his vision for the future was much more optimistic than the film's dystopian outlook.
Tesla has long offered what it calls Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, but currently, drivers still need to remain behind the wheel, ready to take control if necessary. While Musk insists that FSD is safer than human drivers, some independent tests suggest that the technology still has room for improvement, with drivers needing to intervene every 13 miles on average.
As with many of Musk's ambitious projects, questions remain about whether Tesla can meet these aggressive deadlines. Analysts predict that while Tesla may eventually achieve fully autonomous driving, regulatory hurdles and technological refinements could delay the rollout for several more years.
