Looking to the future. Elon Musk presented its new proposals for autonomous vehicles over the weekend, as part of the exhibition called We, robot. Hundreds of people gathered at the event to see the billionaire arrive in one of the so-called robotaxis, sitting in the passenger seat, and then leave without any major problem.
But, it wasn’t the only thing. The biggest surprise was seeing how a kind of bus traveled along the slopes and approached the entrance to the exhibition. When the door opened, about 20 people got out of the Robovan, it was the ace up the sleeve of the Tesla company.
“One of the things we want to do, and we have already done with the Cybertruck, is change the look of the roads. The future must look like the future,” Musk said during the presentation. But are these proposals really innovative?
As for the Robotaxi, or autonomous taxi, it is a type of vehicle that has already been tested on the streets of the United States, Germany, France, Israel, Japan or China. The main feature is that these do not need a human driver.
Baidu is one of the largest brands in China and is known as “the Chinese Google.” For its autonomous taxi service it has the Apollo RT6 vehicle. On the other hand, in the United States, Waymo cars are being tested, which were developed by the Alphabet company, which belongs to Google. Cruise Origin is another of the robotaxis models worked on by General Motors (although it has not done well in the last year).
Besides…
Autonomy levels
At an international level, a series of standards are being developed regarding the autonomy of vehicles, developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). At level zero we speak of a completely mechanical vehicle dependent on the driver. From level one to five, some driving assistance is already distinguished. At this time, many commercial cars already have level three autonomy. Level five is completely independent.
Although it is a fairly modern technology, it does not have a successful development. In the United States, specifically in San Francisco, autonomous vehicles have been the protagonists of several traffic accidents, and complaints from users and pedestrians.
Even so, the Tesla company ventures into this type of vehicle. For its operation it depends on cutting-edge technology, and it is in constant communication. This type of vehicle has computers and processors inside the cars, both to store and process large amounts of data, and in real time.
Second is software and that is where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in. From the data received, you can make decisions such as stopping, accelerating, turning, etc. This data is collected by sensors. This is where high-definition cameras, GPS systems, RADAR and LiDAR (environmental recording) technology come in, among other devices.
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Along these same lines, Elon Musk’s other proposal is the Robovan, a kind of bus. Before Tesla, in China the company WeRide already has vehicles called robobuses that transport up to 10 people. Now, as has been seen in history, it is not about being the first but about being the best. Can Tesla’s new vehicles outperform existing ones?
Robotaxi, beyond the Cybertruck
At first glance, the robotaxi is a smaller model than the Cybetruck, although it has a certain similarity, even in the name: it is called Cybercab. “In an autonomous world, the car is like a small living room,” Musk told the public, and assured that he already has 50 units that could begin circulating next year in Texas and California.
The doors of the vehicle open in ‘gullwing’ mode, that is, from the sides, vertically and upwards. Not much else is known about the vehicle. It is a two-seater car with a fairly large trunk, it has a front panel that works to have the vehicle or recreation controls. Another detail is that it does not have a steering wheel or pedals.
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What is known are animation videos. The Cybercab can connect to a cell phone, like a taxi service, and notify that it has arrived to pick you up. If you have suitcases or a package, you can place it in the back, while you rest in the front. You can also transport pets.
Musk also assured that the vehicle will cost around $30,000, recharging will be done wirelessly. According to the CEO of Tesla, this vehicle is between 10 and 20 times safer” than cars driven by humans.
Robovan for transportation and more
The other proposal is a bus, although the name given to it is Robovan. It was the last thing in the presentation and the surprise for many of the attendees who saw a group of people get out of the vehicle.
According to the Motor1.com website, the company sees the Robovan as a school bus, a repair van and a food truck.
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The design is quite futuristic. It looks like a wedge-shaped box at the front. It has a capacity to transport 20 people. The wheels cannot be distinguished. The body reaches the ground and appears to simply float over the track.
On the other hand, from what is seen in the presentation it is clear that the doors are sliding and open from the sides, as if they were the doors of a shopping center. Like the Cybercab, this autonomous bus has a golden color and a light that surrounds almost the entire body.
The big question is whether Tesla will be able to put its new vehicles on the market, and whether it will meet the proposed dates. Elon Musk’s company is known for leaving some projects up in the air or taking longer than announced.