After a long wait

Tesla unveils its own robot taxi in August

Tesla plans to unveil its long-awaited robotaxi on August 8. Company boss Elon Musk announced the presentation on his online platform X. No further details were initially revealed. The autonomous vehicle is to be based on a new technical platform designed to make production more efficient and cost-effective.

Musk has been promising for years that Teslas will drive autonomously - and that this will radically change the value of the cars and the business model. So far, the "Autopilot" technology in Tesla's electric cars is merely a driver assistance system that requires control and intervention by a human at the wheel. Tesla shares jumped by almost four percent at times in after-hours trading following the announcement.

Unlike existing robotaxi providers such as Google's sister company Waymo, Musk has always maintained that he only wants to use cameras and not the more expensive laser radars that scan the vehicle's surroundings. This approach is controversial among experts.

In the past, accidents have occurred after "autopilot" cameras were dazzled by the sun - while drivers relied too much on the technology. It is unclear whether Musk wants to continue driving the robotaxis with cameras only.