With Tesla’s Robotaxi network launch approaching, it’s time for Tesla to start revealing some of their cards up their figurative sleeves. One of those cards just happens to be how it plans to maintain and clean its Robotaxi fleet that it will be deploying to Austin, Texas in just a few months.
We previously caught a glimpse of how Tesla was going to maintain its Cybercabs all the way back in October at Tesla’s We, Robot autonomy event using a specialized robotic arm with special attachments.
Cleaning Robot
Now, we’ve got an even better view of the arm with its attachments for cleaning the center screen as well as vacuuming the floor and seats of the vehicle. It looks fairly capable, although it’s very specific to cleaning the Cybercab.
The robot consists of a giant robotic arm with different attachments that would be used for cleaning the seats, screen and removing objects. It includes an automatic attachment switcher so that it can seamlessly go from cleaning one surface to another.
It also has the ability to pick up and grab objects that have been left behind, like the backpack in the video - or to dispose of plastic bottles or cans in the cupholders.
In addition, it can probably clean some of the interior surfaces - like the handles, door buttons, windows, and interior of the windshield using the same microfiber cloth. There are likely other tools that Tesla hasn’t shown off just yet that will help keep the robotaxi network running smoothly.
Those same tools can also go to work in the back of the Cybercab, ensuring that the trunk - which can store a considerable amount of luggage - is also kept spic and span.
In combination with a car wash that the Cybercab could drive through autonomously, keeping the vehicle clean seems something like a piece of the puzzle that Tesla is close to achieving.
This second video from Tesla really shows off the reach of the cleaning robot, which surprisingly doesn’t have a name yet.
If you’re wondering how Tesla plans to sanitize the rest of the vehicle, it seems like they’ve got that covered too. They’ve got a patent on exactly how to handle that.
We’ve already seen prototypes of the robotaxi app, the way it’ll wirelessly charge and now the way it’ll be cleaned. However, there will no doubt be exceptions where the vehicle isn’t able to charge or be cleaned automatically. We expect Tesla to be able to detect these unique situations and have a crew on hand that will handle one-off scenarios.
These wireless chargers and cleaning robots will likely only be available at upcoming Robotaxi hubs, which, like the Supercharger network, will take time to build out.
Hopefully, Tesla will continue to share additional information and videos related to its upcoming Robotaxi network, which is only a short four months away.
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It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).
FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.
In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.
FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.
Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.
Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.
When Will it Be Available?
Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.
Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.
Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.
The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.
This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.
But the price is now a princely $6.90, as foretold in the prophecy 😂
Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.
So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.
That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).
Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.
A “Maturing” Service
The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.
While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.