Tesla has launched a form for businesses interested in purchasing Cybercab fleets or providing infrastructure for its autonomous vehicle network. This initiative, announced on Thursday ahead of the company's Cybercab event in Austin, indicates that Tesla's ambitions for its autonomous vehicle extend beyond merely operating robotaxis.
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The robotaxi interest form does not confirm that Tesla will sell its autonomous vehicles to third-party operators, but it suggests a shift in the company's long-term strategy. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has frequently discussed the vision of a vast fleet of low-cost robotaxis, initially focusing on personally owned Tesla vehicles. As early as 2016, Musk envisioned a future where Tesla owners could earn money by renting out their self-driving cars.
In 2019, during the company's Autonomy Day, Musk reiterated this vision, stating that owners would be able to add their autonomous vehicles to Tesla's ride-sharing app, similar to Uber's model. He confidently predicted in 2020 that autonomous robotaxis would be operational by the following year, although he acknowledged that regulatory approvals would vary by jurisdiction.
