“Tesla has not mastered today's technology yet”: University of Munich professor criticizes Elon Musk's taxi

Munich / Los Angeles – Tesla CEO Elon Musk is betting on a robotaxi – and a self-driving bus – for the electric car manufacturer's future. Called the “Cybercab,” the cab has two wing doors that open upwards and looks like a coupe inspired by the best-selling Tesla Model 3.

Robotaxi and Robovan: Munich professor criticizes Musk's Tesla idea

Musk said that the “Cybercab!” It will also be available for purchase, and is expected to cost less than $30,000. Meanwhile, the tech billionaire admitted that he tends to exaggerate. Optimistic about timelines.

First and foremost, self-driving software, where humans don't have to intervene, should hit the streets in Texas and California next year in existing Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Musk still wants to get by with just cameras and software. Without using expensive technology like laser radars in other self-driving cars.

Musk also introduced a futuristic-looking self-driving bus called “Robovan” that can seat up to 20 people. The wedge facade is somewhat reminiscent of previous visions of the future of locomotives. Musk said the Robovan can also transport goods. There was no information available about when the vehicles might arrive on the road.

The world classifies the Oktoberfest shuttle as a Tesla Robotaxi

Local experts in the field of autonomous driving are now reacting to the full announcement from California: Markus Linkamp is a professor of vehicle technology at the Technical University of Munich and is participating in the “MCube” experiment for the autonomous Oktoberfest shuttle, which took place for the first time this year.

Lienkamp is someone who knows exactly about this technology. And he finds it in one Video on LinkedIn Clear words. They were “elaborate design models. But they were only displayed in a cordoned-off area – and this area appears to have been previously painted as well.” The technical challenge of making cars drive is “relatively low.”

It looks like a completely ordinary Volkswagen bus, but it drives itself: this is Edgar, the self-driving bus developed by the Technical University of Munich. He will return to playing at Oktoberfest.

From TU Munich/MCube

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“I would like to invite Musk to Oktoberfest”: Munich professor in Tesla robotaxi

For Linkamp, ​​the fact that robotaxis should be available in 2027 means “Tesla has not yet mastered the technology today.” The competitor, Google's Waymo, “is already about five years ahead of Tesla because it entered series production with them two years earlier.”

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Hollywood Show: Tesla showcases a robo-taxi and a self-driving bus

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New pilot project: On the autonomous shuttle to Oktoberfest

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It is also clear to Linkamp: “Tesla will not be able to update the current fleet with autonomous driving.” There's also a lack of redundancy in the steering, brakes and electrical system. In addition, cameras are not sufficient as a “sole sensor technology.”

But his criticism was also followed by an invitation: “To see how far Tesla has really come, I would like to invite Elon Musk to present his show with us at Oktoberfest,” says Linkamp.