Tesla Network
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Tesla Cybercab. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2024. |
The Tesla Network is a forthcoming autonomous ridehailing service being developed by Tesla, Inc. for its vehicles, including the Cybercab, the Robovan, and other personally-owned Tesla electric vehicles.
Tesla revealed on October 23, 2024, during its investor call, that a Tesla ridehailing app has been in internal testing since early 2024, exclusively with Tesla employees in California, using driver-supervised Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.[1][2]
History
[edit]Tesla first mentioned a future car sharing service for its cars with autonomous control capability in 2016. CEO Elon Musk stated that the car could then become income-generating for the owner while the owner pursued other activities.[3] By 2018, Tesla was more explicit and indicated that the service would compete directly with companies like Uber and Lyft, but with the substantial difference that the 'Tesla Network' would be composed exclusively of autonomous electric vehicles.[4] In 2019, Musk clarified that car owners who allow their vehicles to be part of the Tesla Network would be able to manage their electric cars via a smartphone app and that existing Tesla-battery packs have a life expectancy of 480,000–800,000 km (300,000–500,000 mi) and upcoming batteries could go nearly twice as long, resulting in operating costs for owners of under 20 cents per mile, which would allow rides to be provided to customers for much less than the $2–3 per mile of traditional driver-operated ridesharing services.[5]
The Tesla Network is expected to work with all current Tesla vehicles, but is being focused on two new autonomous-only vehicles, Cybercab and Robovan, but would also support the Model 3 and Model Y, for owners who choose to allow their autonomous-capable vehicles to participate in the network.[6][7] Cybertruck, Model S and Model X will also be able to participate in the ridehailing network at a future time.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tesla has been testing a robotaxi service in the Bay Area for most of the year". The Verge. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Tesla Tests Self-Driving Taxi Service in San Francisco". IOT World Today. October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Davey G. (July 20, 2016). "Elon Musk's Tesla Master Plan, Part Deux". Car and Driver. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Leski, Paige (October 25, 2018). "Elon Musk says Tesla will 'obviously' take on rivals Uber and Lyft with its own ride-hailing service". Business Insider. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Alvarez, Simon (April 22, 2019). "Tesla outlines plan for 'Robotaxi' ride-sharing service". Car and Driver. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Tesla's robovan is the surprise of the night". The Verge. October 10, 2024.
- ^ Aarian, Marshall (October 9, 2024). "Tesla Is Ready to Roll Out Its Robotaxis". Wired. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
