Why the Tesla Electric Vehicles? Musk’s Speculations on the Tesla Network, a Robotic Autonomy Event of 2024

A robotaxi event in August is certainly in line with Tesla’s habit of showcasing at least two splashy events each year. This year it is the Cybertruck delivery event and the Master Plan. Now, we know of at least half of what’s on tap for the company in 2024.

In his book, Musk speculated that the affordable EV would be irrelevant if there was a fully automated vehicle.

The so-called “Tesla Network” would be described in Musk’s Master Plan Part Deux. He wrote that if you tap a button on the phone app, you will be able to add your car to the shared fleet and generate income for yourself, while you are at work or on vacation.

Musk claims that the cars were just a year or so away. His supporters point to the success of Autopilot and then FSD as evidence that while his promises may not exactly line up with reality, he is still at the forefront of a societal shift from human-powered vehicles to ones piloted by AI. He wants to prove the point that the technology is officially compatible.

He inflates the technology’s capabilities often with fatal results. Dozens of deaths have been caused by crashes involving the use of the Autopilot and FSD systems by the car company. The company is facing numerous wrongful death lawsuits. The company is under investigation by the US government and a major recall was announced late last year. The robot seems to be flawed.

While it took years for the Cybertruck to be developed, the company lost its place as the world’s top producer of electric vehicles to China’s BYD. The company said it produced 3.02 million EV in the last five years.

“Frankly, if there are not trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world,” Musk said. “They are extremely good.”