Tesla's Cybercab, a sleek, fully autonomous two-door coupe with butterfly doors, was the star of the show. It marks Tesla’s most ambitious push into the world of autonomous vehicles, as it boasts no steering wheel or pedals—just a large central screen, signaling Tesla's confidence in their Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.

The Cybercab’s design borrows heavily from the larger, more rugged Cybertruck, particularly in its bold, angular front end. However, it stands apart with a more aerodynamic shape, intended for city streets rather than off-road terrain. It's clear this coupe is built for efficiency, with its compact, two-seat configuration. The butterfly doors are a bold statement, emphasizing its futuristic design and practicality in tight urban environments.

Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of the Cybercab is its price. Musk stated that the vehicle will be available to the public for under $30,000, a game-changing move in making autonomous electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to the mass market. This pricing strategy could make the Cybercab a popular choice for everyday commuters looking to embrace the future of self-driving technology.

One of the Cybercab’s key features is inductive charging, which eliminates the need for physical charging cables, allowing the vehicle to charge wirelessly. Though exact performance metrics—like range and speed—were not revealed, this innovation speaks to Tesla’s ongoing effort to streamline the electric driving experience.

Tesla expects to begin deploying autonomous operations in select U.S. states, starting with California and Texas, where regulatory frameworks and infrastructure are more prepared for self-driving cars. However, production for the Cybercab is not anticipated until 2026, and as is often the case with Musk’s ambitious timelines, delays are likely. Musk himself has acknowledged his past optimism with regard to delivery schedules, a trend that has sometimes tested the patience of Tesla’s loyal followers.

In addition to the Cybercab, Musk also unveiled the Robovan, a futuristic, fully electric van aimed at efficiently transporting large groups of people. Though its design remains a bit of a mystery, the Robovan appears to have seating for over 10 passengers, making it ideal for urban transport or ridesharing services.

While specific details regarding the Robovan’s capabilities and range remain scarce, it is clear that Tesla envisions this vehicle playing a significant role in autonomous public transportation systems. Whether or not it will be made available for personal purchase remains unclear. However, the introduction of such a vehicle hints at Tesla’s broader ambitions to revolutionize not just personal mobility, but also mass transit.

Although Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi service has faced several delays over the years, Musk is now setting a more concrete timeline. Tesla aims to roll out fully autonomous operations using its existing Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in California and Texas by next year. This move will serve as the first step in Tesla’s ambitious plan to put driverless vehicles on public roads at scale.

However, the Cybercab, as showcased, will not be hitting the streets until 2026 at the earliest. Even with delays expected, this marks a pivotal moment for Tesla's pursuit of autonomy.

At the Hollywood event, guests were treated to rides in around 50 Cybercabs, with the cars operating within the confines of a movie set. These test rides offered the first real-world glimpse of the Cybercab’s self-driving functionality, though in a controlled environment. As video footage from inside the car inevitably makes its way online, anticipation will build, but Tesla’s history suggests a long road ahead before these vehicles reach the masses.

With the unveiling of the Cybercab and Robovan, Tesla is doubling down on its vision for a future driven by autonomous technology. While the road to widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles has been long and winding, Tesla continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the EV and autonomous driving sectors.

The promise of a sub-$30,000 fully autonomous vehicle is certainly exciting, but as with any Tesla project, the real test will be in meeting the timelines and expectations set forth. If successful, the Cybercab and Robovan could redefine not just personal transport, but how we move through cities altogether. Tesla's latest debuts reaffirm that the future of driving might not involve any driving at all.