On Thursday, Tesla introduced a registration form for businesses interested in acquiring Cybercab fleets or developing the necessary infrastructure, signaling the company’s ambitions for its autonomous vehicle extend beyond merely operating as a robotaxi service.
The release of this interest form comes ahead of Tesla’s Cybercab event in Austin, hinting at the company’s longer-term strategy. While this does not confirm that Tesla will be selling its autonomous vehicles to outside operators, it indicates a willingness to partner rather than solely expand on its own.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has frequently envisioned a vast network of affordable robotaxis. Initially, the focus was on personal Tesla vehicles. Musk discussed a future as far back as 2016 where Tesla owners, utilizing autonomous driving software, could make money by renting out their cars. He continued to support this idea, asserting during the company’s Autonomy Day in 2019 that owners could contribute their self-driving cars to a ride-sharing platform akin to Uber.
In 2020, Musk expressed confidence that Tesla would introduce autonomous robotaxis the following year, albeit not in every location due to regulatory hurdles.
However, that vision has yet to be realized. Instead, Tesla’s efforts have shifted toward launching and operating its own fleet of robotaxis, starting with Tesla Model Y vehicles and now introducing the specially designed Cybercab.
Up to this point, Tesla appeared focused on managing its robotaxi operations internally. The recent interest form, suggesting help in building the robotaxi network, indicates that the company recognizes the potential benefits in collaborating with external firms.
The specific nature of these partnerships is still unclear. The form allows interested companies to choose from various options, including purchasing Cybercab fleets, creating mobility hubs and infrastructure, collaborating on events, or selecting “other.”
A rising number of businesses are entering the robotaxi fleet management space. For example, Moove, a fintech startup from Africa previously dedicated to financing vehicles for ride-hailing drivers, is expanding into autonomous fleet management. Following a recent $250 million funding round that valued the company at $2.1 billion, Moove is now managing a fleet for Waymo in cities like Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas, with London in its future plans. While they do not own Waymo’s vehicles, the CEO has conveyed intentions to do so.
Other companies in the autonomous fleet management arena, which have partnered with Uber in their pursuit of the robotaxi market, include Avomo and New Horizon alongside established rental car companies like Avis and Hertz.
Tesla’s invitation to fleet operators may encourage more smaller entities to enter the market, thus enabling the company to achieve faster market penetration.
