Robotaxi Engineering Analysis: Tesla's CyberCab is Missing a Part!

[@ConnectingODots]

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[@AquarianSoulTimeTraveler]

Well the entire reason why they were going to make it side by side is so you can give BJ's in the car but I suggested that they make it front to back seating and the front seat can slide all the way up and the back of it can lay all the way down into the back seat to where it makes one big huge seat and this will be a perfect platform for getting bj's in or having sex in... pasta makes it so you can increase the safety because you can make it thinner and less wide because it's single person sitting in the seat front to back and I think that the depiction you showed is a very good depiction and I think that shows a single seat version and I think that's going to be almost exactly what it looks like... I think it will be a three wheeler unless 4 for regulation purposes exactly like you stated.

[@AquarianSoulTimeTraveler]

The front seats going to be able to lay into the back seat and slide all the way forward and the headrest will be able to retract into the seat or it will be removable so you can have sex in the vehicle... the shape is good but imagine front to back seating instead of side to side this will cut down the amount of total face that is hitting the wind which will increase the efficiency even more

[@qkktech]

The best production on topic. 🙌 The best is 4-6h usage per day. since similar non fsd services have 4h 30000 km/year so Tesla gets more out of it being delivery car adds another 3h to service time so those cars while serving as taxy will have 5 h and 3 h asdelivery cars have 2x advantage to regular non fsd version whil cost is 25k they offer 30-50% lower cost so under 10 cent per minute and 20cent per mile

[@muskepticsometimes9133]

I dont see car design ad hard part. Hard part is 100% hands off driving. This looks far off esp regulation part

[@lukasschmid]

I bow to your analytical process. The logic of your argument is captivating. If there were such a thing as engineering poetry, this is what it would look like to me. Other people shrink their brains with reality TV. I watch your videos - and my mind expands.

[@ConnectingODots]

I am humbled. Thank you, you made my day🙏

[@PlainObserver]

The drag reduction doesn't help much for city driving but the weight reduction does!

[@Bob_Sacamano]

the laws changed by lobbying from Aptera, almost all states dont need a helmet anymore if it has a roof.

[@jonesmatthew7511]

Was about to allude to Aptera, but you beat me to the punch

[@swhbpocl]

A helmet with a roof?

[@Bob_Sacamano]

@@swhbpocl a lot of states required it just because it is an autocycle. But now due to Aptera lobbying almost all states don't require one now.

[@jonesmatthew7511]

@@swhbpocl Since you are "inside" a car, the "car" is your "helmet". So don't expect a convertible version!

[@geoffsoperss6718]

Unpainted plastic seems inevitable. Nobody buys plastic cars, but nobody cares what their taxi is made from. (best badge is no badge, embed them in the mouldings)

[@cmw3737]

Not caring about would be buyers egos is the biggest change to the design brief after the lack of steering wheel. There are so many costs that can be cut when aesthetics are less important. I would love to hear about the meetings where they went through what got cut when building back up from first principles that don't require appealing to status and only to practicality of getting fro A to B.

[@josgroen]

What about the environment? Elon will save the planet, plastic is not is it?

[@ranig2848]

The Smart had plastic panels and sold great (especially in Europe). Corvettes have fiberglass and plastic panels and people LOVE them. Done well, especially with modern composites, plastic is not an issue. Lighter, easier to manufacture, can be branded easily for fleets (3rd party robotaxi operators) - it’s a great solution for next gen cars

[@Neoprenesiren]

I hate plastic

[@bobbybishop5662]

They have been making parts of the body out of plastics for over a decade .

[@tedr6340]

When Sandy Munro last interviewed Elon he asked him what his thoughts were on building a 3-wheeled EV. Elon said he would never consider building a 3-wheeled model as he doesn’t believe they’re safe enough for Teslas high safety standards.

[@mddell24]

Eloone is all over the place. Every new day, a new direction, pick a number between 1 and 360 - it is lottery land for Eloone.

[@mukamuka0]

I remember Sandy didn't specify number of wheels. He's just ask about making EV motorcycle and Elon say he's almost die from motorcycle accident in his youth. So he won't do it. This imply Elon meant it's 2 wheels that he won't do it, not 3.

[@zdme4864]

@@mukamuka0that was the question not “how about a 3 wheeler”

[@emmanuelmahuni8163]

@@mukamuka0 he did say something about 3 wheels at some point if not that interview. Sandy was doing it for Aptera and Elon was aware of what they were talking about. Sandy wanted Elon to assist Aptera somehow or buy into it.

[@emmanuelmahuni8163]

bottom line is he is mostly like 95% unlikely going to do that... he doesn't like it at all.

[@larslysdahl4586]

Love the video. I doubt the three wheel theory. There is a safety aspect in terms of puncture, driving on wet tarmac (traction) and snow. Also in the pic with Franz in front of the cardboard car at 3:24 the rear wheel is somewhat inboard of the front wheel but clearly not in the center as evidenced by the briefcases? Also I agree with no rear window (those who want to see behind can use the screen). However I don’t see the point of removing windshield and side windows and rather add screens? Seems complicated. Windows work well. On the windshield wiper this is needed to clean for the front camera.

[@BongoWongoOG]

All around screens may be good for entertainment purposes, revenue generator? E.g. can make the entire car look like its driving under water or a wrap around movie

[@alanlight7740]

The camera may need a windshield wiper, but that wiper could be one inch long.

[@RayleneCawood]

Never mentioned point: Better traction and??? Trigonometry 101: You can draw a flat plane through any 3 points in space. ie: A three legged table NEVER wobbles, no matter how uneven the ground/floor/road. ie: You could build a 3 wheeler with solid tires and no suspension and all 3 wheels would ALWAYS stay on the ground, never losing traction... This means that with suspension, said suspension has a much simpler job to do..? I would love to hear what suspension tuning specialists, designers, etc have to say on this subject..??? (It's also simple to make such a vehicle lean into corners, somewhat like a motorbike, with some simple tuning of a single Active (electric) Anti-Roll Bar)

[@Neoprenesiren]

By that logic every chair would be three legged

[@matthewdunstone4431]

The hot food delivery idea is very clever.

[@abcqer555]

Agreed. You could also have optimus fold up into the frunk and charge en route

[@TaunyaMillet-vg2eu]

​@@abcqer555true

[@TaunyaMillet-vg2eu]

Plastic can be made to be very solid

[@kevinrey9427]

I just love your ideas and analysis. You put so much thought into these speculations and theories. Top notch quality. Thank you for all you do.

[@spelare2]

It will be a 4-wheeler.

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

ATV?

[@MrDuncanBooth]

Ok so put forward your reasoning.

[@NotAnonymousNo80014]

@@MrDuncanBooth Rear wheel clearly is not center line in that picture with Franz and the mock-up.

[@swhbpocl]

I heard a robotaxi will most probably be made without a wheel.

[@allencrider]

Agreed! Having 3 wheels totally kills interior space.

[@WarrenLacefield]

When I was young, I loved little sport cars, low to the ground and drivers' legs almost straight, surround visibility and interior space somewhat limited (think Austin Healey, MGA, Fiat Spyder, even Corvettes, etc.). Plus, those were mostly 2-seaters, for me and a friend. All of the pictures in your video were similar. But nowadays, I can barely get into and out of such cars. A successful Robotaxi will require easy in- and out-egress, comfort and spaciousness, food & drink holders, and storage for luggage, groceries, book bags, whatever; as well as nice windows for external visibility. Most taxis, Ubers, etc. provide that (the Lincoln Town Car was about the best; a Tesla Y is about as good.)

[@darylfoster7944]

I owned an MG Midget. Fun to drive, but a complete piece of crap.

[@WarrenLacefield]

@@darylfoster7944 Might agree about the Midget but I had a circa 1960 MGA. It was definitely NOT crap and I drove it for 1,000s of miles. .. Until I accidentally drove it off a cliff (called Devil's Elbow by the locals - really!) at night, flipped perfectly in the air, and landed, splat, on all four wire wheels in a (very handy, soft, country roadside) garbage dump. My younger brother, then in high school and about to inherit that car, still tells me that event changed his life .. his planned social life with a cool car! 😂

[@surferdude4487]

The cost and complexity of replacing all windows with screens makes that unlikely. Three wheels is a possibility, but two front modules plus a passenger module is more likely. If Tesla implements independant 4 wheel steering, we could be looking at a cab that can rotate to any facing on the spot. Wipers to keep the cameras clear is essential. I do like the idea of plastic body pannels. The badges could be integrated into the molds and the colour could be added to the plastic. No paint. Smaller, lighter battery packs are likely. If the cab can only go 100 miles between charges, that could be plenty for city driving. And, the cab won't need neck breaking acceleration so massive amounts of power are not required either. I eagerly await the unveiling!

[@davemartin9912]

Wireless recharging would be a major win for a robotaxi.

[@fernvalleyinn9172]

Agreed, wireless charging is a MUST.

[@Barskor1]

Or the employee/Optimus that cleans out the taxi plugs in the charger and you don't need to waste energy making RF pollution and paying for a new system of chargers.

[@tommornini2470]

Perhaps the “change to the front” is to use the front module at both ends. If you’re rethinking the vehicle from first principles, and mix in unboxed manufacturing, it’s easy to think it could be extremely efficient to build a front module and a passenger module, and assemble a vehicle out of two “fronts” and a center passenger cabin. Better camera placement, two trunks, and no need for reversing - the vehicle is *always* driving forward! Admittedly this likely works better for 4 seat vehicle, with face to face seating.

[@arya_jahan98]

That shift to the non-existent segway to your VPN sponsor was brutal

[@dialy1]

*segue

[@darylfoster7944]

@@dialy1 maybe Elon should buy Segway

[@samvanparys2576]

If you make the rear wheel/wheels to be on a platform like you have with an office chair, and put 2 motors on front (which can be used for acceleration and decelerarion by regenerative braking + running the engine in kind-of reverse to active braking), you can remove the entire steering and brakes while being able to do a tank turn by simply making one wheel run at a different speed than the other. Or inverse the direction for tank turns. More space, less complexity. And it would change the entire front.

[@danielrost8488]

”THE ENTIRE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY!!” 🥳🤣🤣 Nice one! 👍

[@longmuskox4194]

Poor Joe will take flak for years to come for that event. What an embarrassment.

[@my9129]

You could also throw in Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Car as ancestral to this concept constellation. Three wheel with two up front, taking advantage of teardrop aero and other features.

[@kendrickpi]

Would like to see Tesla brave enough to consider (at least) Hemp for body panels; as advocated at one time by Ford (back in the day) as strong as steel, yet lighter and far more planet friendly!

[@keithnance4209]

The new tire technology that is impervious to flat tires should be used as one less thing to have to maintain or worry about for robotaxi/autonomous vehicles.

[@0HOON0]

There are many ways to do this and they all suck.

[@gdok6088]

@@0HOON0 Run-flat tyres make the ride a bit firmer,, but with 3rd get run-flats it's barely noticeable. I've driven BMWs with run-flats for nearly 20 years and it's good to know that even if you have a flat you can still drive for 50 miles at up to 50mph. Avoids disruption to customer service.

[@ardeshirmehta9327]

EXCELLENT video! ALL your suggestions would be desirable in the new dedicated Robotaxi. In fact, many of them if not all of them would be desirable even in an affordable private car! I have always wanted to buy a T-Rex, but even here in Canada it cost about $50,000! if I can get the equivalent of a T-Rex in electric form for less than $20,000, my oh my! Whether Tesla actually adopts your suggestions or not, they definitely SHOULD!!! Bravo. Bravissimo.

[@jimparr01Utube]

Great to see the Aptera car (3-wheels) showing several times. Nice set of guesses Sir. I think you will be correct on several of them 10/10.

[@andrewvercillo7584]

I think the cybercab will disrupt the airline industry as well. If you could get a 10-20 hour car ride so you can sleep or work, why fly for 8 hours and pay more? Go Cybercab

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

That is part of the plan: trips

[@pokerchannel6991]

@@FrunkensteinVonZipperneckif u go door to door, it save time

[@revaddict]

A plane going 800 kmph will fly 6400 kilometers in 8 hours.. Even if you say 5 hours of flying and 3 hours to and fro for the airport it will be 4000 kms.. It would only make sense for ultra short distances of less than 800 kms..

[@darylfoster7944]

Yeah, sitting in a car for 20 hours is really comfortable. How many times will you have to stop? You might cover 1200-1400 miles max. That's a three hour flight, and you can work on the flight, and get to your destination the same day instead of the next day. And FSD or not, flying is still safer. It's an absurd idea. It might make sense for a 200-300 mile trip, when you take into account the time wasted at the airport.

[@pokerchannel6991]

@@darylfoster7944 I see, so there is a curve between distance and car/plane. At a certain point the two curves cross. The longer the distance, tilts plane, but 500 is the mid point. Below that 500 tilts: car.

[@klauszinser]

A 3-wheeler thats would be a fundamental but very good change. Except its more difficult to avoid holes in the street there are many advantages. Then we are with the Aptera.

[@theplouf5533]

No... 3 wheels seems more efficient but is not really much more efficient than 4 wheels. Elon also said a few years ago that the 3 wheel design was not used for the "model 2". An argument that I find extremely important is the space gained for the trunk if the wheels are on the outside. Aptera chose to lengthen the vehicle to have an elongated trunk. But given the length of the cyber cab, I think it would be just impossible to have a trunk if the wheels were in the center. (don't forget the suspensions system) I think if it was a 3 wheeler it would look like the aptera, unless it had 2 trunks on the sides which could be unbalanced. AND the cardboard show a 4 wheeler, so... The wheels are CLEARELY NOT at the center line.

[@zoransarin5411]

If you use Waze at all, people already input the presence of potholes. As we move towards highly smart cars, which is what a Tesla is, it is not too difficult to see a future where the cars or drivers note the pothole or fault in the road and the local government or counties use the data to direct their repair crews to those sites. Once repaired, users or the repair crew themselves remove reference to the pothole/fault. So if the cars are automated, they are potentially already alerted to an upcoming pothole and looking to avoid it. The potential of smart cars is mind boggling. Everything from talking to one another, talking to traffic signs and signals, the improvement in capacity and safety as a result of the interconnectivity is awesome to imagine. Even pedestrians and pedestrian safety. Mobile phones are becoming more and more prevalent in society. What happens when you are walking on the side of the road and your mobile is a walking beacon. If you cut a path towards the road and look like crossing, smart cars can see the movement and within an instant dtermine if there is an issue and they need to perform an evasive manoeuvre. Who knows how far all this can go.

[@danharold3087]

Without regard to anything but holes. FSD may be passing road information including pot holes to the cars.

[@alanhall6909]

Very thought provoking ideas and points. I wasn't aware of the regulatory advantages of a 3-wheeler. Elon is such a perfectionist, it would be very difficult to draw the line on innovation and stick with tradition. I had proposed luggage space in front instead of a windshield earlier. Passengers don't have a front window in a plane or train and very limited front view in a taxi. A monitor up front could display a camera view of the outside or games or other entertainment.

[@cockerjc]

I think you're right with the no front window.

[@edwinschaap5532]

22:30 The wipers are also needed for the camera’s since Tesla uses normal camera vision for autopilot.

[@danharold3087]

One can put wiper washers on cameras without using them to clear the wind shield.

[@m_sedziwoj]

3 wheel vehicles don't have cargo space, so all photos what we saw from Tesla was 4 wheeled, because in one you said is 3, they put suitcases and this would not be possible if wheel would be in center.

[@VHTF_]

Frunk cargo!

[@Kukaboora]

Look at Aptera prototype, a three wheelers with a trunk that you can sleep two adults in there.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

3 wheel ? , I think it has 4

[@tommartin8238]

I agree that the delay change may involve the fronk but also believe it was Elon really wanting the car to look more futuristic and cool. In the past he made comments that he hoped people wouldn’t be disappointed by the look of it and that the car was utilitarian by design. He wants it to be a car that people want to be seen pulling up in.

[@darylfoster7944]

They're installing a toilet in the frunk, to avoid rest stops.

[@dennisd9804]

Incredibly insightful video; I was not familiar with all of the engineering insight behind 3-wheeled vehicles. Cybercab will be a very interesting product!

[@adventuresinparadise1522]

They won’t do 3 wheel vehicles. Not as safe, for sure. Also, the robo taxi platform (chassis) is going to serve multiple new models so the 3 wheel wouldn’t work for that.

[@user-to2rf1rj5v]

22:26 wipers will always be needed for cleaning of the glass over the front cameras.

[@chrismullarkey3181]

Great content. I live in NYC and the quality of life has dropped tremendously with the advent of food delivery. E-bike people have no regard for rules and go the opposite was down streets, ride on sidewalks etc etc. I would love to see order restored to this great city.

[@635574]

Its really stupid that city this dense and anti car has taken so long with this. Micromobility took off especially in Asia where elecric bikes and scooters are everywhere.

[@michaelnurse9089]

@@635574 The average girth size of the US makes scooters a less probable solution.

[@robitmcclain6107]

1> I posit closely spaced rear wheels that carve. These wheels could be quite narrow like a motorcycle wheel. 2> I also posit the body being an anodized aluminum alloy. 3> I can see a rear generator for only regeneration. No drive force.

[@danharold3087]

Not 100% sure but I expect that there would be little cost savings on using the rear for regen only.

[@robitmcclain6107]

@@danharold3087 You are probably right.

[@ericchild3363]

Excellent as always. And I love your outros!

[@ernieblue5307]

Just split a single wide rear wheel into two wheels at half the width, when 4 wheels are required to avoid restrictions. If the single rear wheel can turn, the car can pivot around the center of the front axle, & turn in place i.e. “turn on a dime”.

[@gavinhagan8357]

Great info as per usual. Can’t wait to see what is announced. I think anything is possible as this is the company that produces the future. Exciting time to be alive. I wonder who said that recently. :-)

[@user-to2rf1rj5v]

I've thought this many times (was an early fan and had a deposit down on the Elio Motors 3 wheel car). But, there are safety drawbacks to those (far easier to roll over in a collision than if it were on 4 wheels), and safety is #1 at Tesla. And they're classified as motorcycles in the US (I think laws have changes in some states, but I think some state still require the driver to wear a HELMET...lol). So yeah, I don't think it'll be on 3 wheels. I'm sure they've explored it, but I'm just as sure they've rejected the idea on safety (and styling) grounds.

[@georgelewis8831]

I really like your temp controlled enlarged frunk and it would be amazing (but not likely) That Optimus would be in there, but a wheeled bot could come out to do the final delivery (like a square r2d2 with arms). I could see that!

[@ricknoe942]

Always happy to see a new CtD video!

[@EVChargers-d9z]

It would be EXCITING to see this come out, but what I have always loved about First Principles Approach, nothing is off the table....

[@macrumpton]

3 wheeled two seater makes sense to me. Since there is no significant competition in the robotaxi space the only big way to make more profit would be to make it cheaper to manufacture. Plastic panels? Sure. Larger Frunk? maybe

[@nick1f]

I was amazed how many good features you presented!

[@toddmarshall7573]

Three wheel designs are inherently unstable with the single wheel steering in front. I learned this when I was 12 years old and built a go-cart like car out of wood. The single front wheel was controlled by ropes (like steering a horse). The car naturally wanted to rotate 180 degrees to get the steering single wheel in the back where it was naturally stable castering. So rather than fight it, I just essentially drove the car "backwards"... just turned the seat around. Re. the weight reductions? I challenge that. The wheels on a car, especially an electric vehicle, don't constitute anywhere near 50% of the total weight. And removing one wheel does not reduce weight 25%. This is because of the additional support you need on "both" sides of the wheel... or beafiness if you try to have an axle supported in cantilever fashion. The big reason "sling shot" designs are used is because they are regulated like motor cycles, not as cars (i.e. less regulated). Never underestimate government incompetence and regulation to force bad decisions.

[@S0me0ne_S0meWhere_SaysHi]

It is bad timing for Tesla to do the robo taxi now. It's a great concept and I welcome it but Tesla should have done the model 2 personal car concept first!

[@danharold3087]

Given how Tesla's standard design is a strong stamped steel cab bracketed by 2 casting it will have bolt on body panels like the CyberTruck. The only question is what to make them out of. I am guessing plastic of some sort. Maybe engineered for rapid replacement. Retain the same system as the CT with a crush layer under the skin.

[@DeckEdge]

Frunk for hot or cold food delivery I can see as 100% the delay. Most people have only been laser focused on people moving.

[@geirmyrvagnes8718]

My main disagreement is the picture at 3:28. I do not see this as a picture of a "wheel at centerline" even with the overlaid text and arrow. I see it as more or less in line with the front wheel, maybe slightly inboard. If it was at the centerline, it would protrude into the middle of a cavernous luggage area, where in a compact car you would have space for several suitcases sideways on both sides of a car wheel in the middle. I do not accept this.

[@geirmyrvagnes8718]

Count me in camp "it will have four wheels" and point and laugh if I am wrong!

[@fredbloggs5902]

I agree. The suitcases appear central and wouldn’t fit with a central wheel.

[@geirmyrvagnes8718]

@@fredbloggs5902 Coming back here to pat myself on the back, but let's not be too selfish. Pat on the back for you, too! Sharp eyes, clear mind. 😁

[@TaunyaMillet-vg2eu]

Those EVs are beautiful!

[@ivankuljis1780]

@2:50 About two weeks before verne by Mate Rimac, i drew a three wheeler because the design makes absolute sense. In 2006 we raced QUAD for GREENSPEED at RACV Pedal Prix, then a three wheeler 'Flat Naca' to finish 4th and 6th respectively! i was given pole position in 2007 on my 48th birthday to set the team's fastest lap time. Go 3 or go Tree!

[@hieyeque1]

Suppose it was to move the steering to the rear- significantly reducing the components. Since it's going to be steer by wire, there's no linkage - and you only have one component turning, you don't need a tie rod, rack and pinion gears, just an electric motor (maybe stepper?).

[@richinvancouver3100]

Good theory except…. 3 wheels is just not SEXY enough for Elon. It had a cheap vibe and history.

[@antibrevity]

In terms of helmet regulations, companies like Eleo did a lot of legwork, at least in the U.S., and other 3-wheeler companies are still pursuing changes that would allow them to compete in many markets. Tesla is a large company with the resources to enhance that effort, so I suspect that they could get 3-wheelers that meet certain standards (i.e. full seat restraints) to be excluded from helmet laws. It's really inevitable that 3-wheelers will become a large part of the vehicle network in many places, so laws will simply have to adapt; that's a painful and slow process, but it must happen.

[@aware2action]

Robotaxi is heavily dependant on its fixed location camera based FSD training data. The formfactor will be more close to accomodate this, which means more or less similar to M3/MY, but could be a 2 door, or gullwing door, but with cameras in exactly same position. Also the drive dyamics of 3-wheel drive is vastly different than 4-wheel, and would involve a major rewrite of FSD. So one more reason for no "3 Wheels". Robocab is definitely a rear wheel PM drive only(could also be dual rear motors? for reduced turning radius and steering on tight corners) for efficiency. So, its possible to have a much large frunk, by freeing up more frontal space. Wireless charging and dedicated charging spots for Robocabs a high possibility.

[@charlesrovira5707]

@2:36 So it's like an *Apterra.* Reasonable and would reduce the mass and therefore the rolling friction and energy consumption of the *RoboTaxi* by 25%.

[@EasyX2y]

no window in the front sound intresting, maybe combined with backward seats :D (weird but safer i guess) also would bring better teardrop shape options

[@jeffsmith9384]

reminds me of the old Tri-Magnum kit car from Popular Mechanics

[@nate5eplayer574]

Amazing video. Great work! 👍😎

[@ConnectingODots]

Thanks!

[@MrMartin627]

Hm I'm curious whether Elon's front idea has anything to do with an innovative way to reduce the drag and/or rolling resistance. For EVs, reducing resistance is beneficial on multiple levels. You either keep the same battery and improve both the total range and the effective charging speed (minutes of charge / miles of range achieved). Or, you use a smaller battery, get to keep the same range but also lowering the weight, cost and still improving the charginig speed.

[@chiefimpartial4041]

Such a great channel and presenter. Honest thoughts, great quality and informative whislt also being easy ro follow telling me you are well educated on the subjects you talk about. Probably my most trusted channel on tesla. Although i will say i don't seem to see your channel as often. I assume you make more quality over quantity re you vids

[@chiefimpartial4041]

I think manoeuvrability/ability to crab crawl might be something that they investigate. I feel without a driver it's ability to park anywhere safely easily and quickly is I'mportant. But who reckons it will be made of CT stainless? Not aerodynamic enough? Or makes sense for vehicle protection from vandals etc

[@jdcarguy1242]

3:18 three wheeled and offset wheel vehicles have poorer dynamics and dont track well in snow and rain. Safety being first, I doubt this will be the case. Narrower tires will yield similar results in economy while preserving performance in inclement weather.

[@WrathChild-NZ]

would the rear wheel have to be much wider? I'm just worried of oversteer around a corner!

[@robindehood207]

Mr Bean would have so much fun with a three wheeler Tesla.

[@TuanNguyen-wz1fn]

Perhaps your best video in While. Nice job !

[@lyfandeth]

In the US, a three wheeler is a motorcycle or as Sandy and the DOT say, autocycles.

[@geirmyrvagnes8718]

There were some rules about this in the UK, as well, which is why they had some popular 3-wheel models.

[@harris7963]

The biggest issue with this design is its exposure to large vehicles (pickup, semis, etc). It’s just not safe unless vehicle regulation changes to allow these vehicles to operate safely.

[@akselwilliamdanenbarger7969]

The Zybercab is brobably bade out of staneless steal like Zybertruck, with means no exterior platic panals! You get the same advantage of redused youse of bodypaint, and easy replasement advatige. And added strech, with mens as bulletproof as sybertruck.

[@GaminHasard]

Yes. Loosing the wheel weight helps increase range

[@sspoonless]

Two rear wheels avoids motorcycle helmet laws, provides more rear traction, allows a single rear drive motor & dual brake sets. Centering two rear wheels close together avoids most of the inefficiencies of a 4 wheeler. I don't expect the confusion of offering multiple rear configurations. I expect a 4 wheel "tadpole" trike layout with a "dually" rear wheel.

[@MrQuay03]

Nice video. Such interesting engineering speculations

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

As a Morgan fan, here’s the fun bit, if the front wheels miss a bump in the road, the middle wheel will hit it 😂

[@ConnectingODots]

Def fun! 😂

[@tommckinney4001]

Wow! Well done! Mind blown.

[@scottgardener]

If they do a 3-wheel, they’ll be both competing against and drawing attention to Aptera, benefiting them by making 3-wheeled efficiency EVs a recognized market rather than an obscure niche.

[@johnmelling8297]

I wondered if the change to the front could be the inclusion of pedestrian airbags

[@richardservatius5405]

how about a 4 wheel version with the two rear wheels connected, separated, thin, close together, driven by one motor.

[@musaran2]

Single rear wheel could be single steering too. The rear would swing out, but FSD can handle that.

[@sheaandtesla4599]

Man i cant wait for the unveil event!!

[@EricRogstad]

At 3:26 that sure doesn't look like the centerline to me! Doesn't it look like it's just inset about one wheel width from the front wheel? And just a foot or two from Franz's foot?

[@Znegil]

Since everything is already steer by wire, they could also sell a version of this to customers. To have their own automated small car and since it's steer by wire, you can put in a "videogame controller/steering wheel" that connects wireless to the car.

[@WarrenLacefield]

Most people know (have learned) to turn a steering wheel or apply brakes, maybe switch the car on and off. It takes training (and maybe licensing) to use a video controller (for game or drone), steer a plane with feet, handle controls of slow construction equipment, fly a helicopter, etc. Big difference also between a bicycle and a motorcycle. In a Robotaxi, better for it to just autonomously stop somewhere safe and passengers find another ride.

[@MudGuardian]

Imagine they used the cybertruck's rear casting as the casting for cybercab.

[@simonzebu3563]

Sinclair C5 springs to mind. Will this have pedals?

[@joezip6389]

I like the thought of the temperature controlled frunk. Maybe they are fitting a railgun in the front to get slow Uber drives out of the way? Lol

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

Watch robot wars. They use a hydraulic spatula to fling them.

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

Already have “Tropical Paradise” 🌴 dialed into Climate Control in my Frunk! ❤

[@PlainObserver]

I had also noticed the rear wheels being closer together and might even be a single rear wheel.

[@bartlett6942]

I think the front end change may be an Optimus IN the frunk. A dedicated moulded section to perfectly fit a folded Optimus and even charge it. When it wants out it just stands up.

[@HappyDaysAlways]

Given the CyberCab is driverless, why not fix the front wheels (and enclose them to improve aerodynamics) and have the rear wheel do the steering. Additionally the drive train, heat pump and electrical management could be in the rear with no trunk in the rear, so that the packaging would leave a large, unimpeded trunk to be in the front.

[@Ripper6962001]

Don't think 3 wheels in the snow will work so well

[@Biblecrusader]

Aptera is already working on a 3 wheeler and it's classified as an auto cycle and does not require a helmet!

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

A four wheel design will be better accepted in the USA! Hands down! Law enforcement will not tolerate a windowless vehicle. Look at how they don’t like and have regulations against dark tinting of windows!

[@ryanviningtube]

It won't be three wheels, as they are much less safe than four wheels, as Elon has previously stated

[@landcruiser801]

And f'all grip

[@bobwallace9753]

Some three wheel vehicles built in the past have been less safe. Did you not listen to why a three wheel vehicle can be perfectly safe?

[@michaelnurse9089]

Watch video before commenting.

[@chiefimpartial4041]

Yeah, you Def's had a way more compelling argument around three wheels than I was expecting when you first said it. As I also was mislead by that top gear episode. But I agree, safety is absolute priority especially with these early models as it's critical for adoption. Unless he can say that only the model y or 3 is safer I just don't see it purely based on safety or the perception of

[@chiefimpartial4041]

I do however have more hope around it one day being the case. When people trust the tech and the brand

[@brianscott1978]

Wondering if it's a front walkin. Would remove doors and allow wheelchair and luggage stored in front with a closing compartment to secure them.

[@antuanle1443]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Mr musk I believe in you I trust your talent ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@glenmullet]

When you were talking about a 3 wheel design, it occurred to me that Tesla has tried to optimize all of their vehicles with technologies and capabilities which enable the user to have the most fun experience which is reasonably possible with the vehicle. I wonder if the design change may have something to do with increasing the fun factor of taking a robotaxi ride.

[@JosueC730]

Interesting theorycrafting but I'm with those who doubt it will be a 3 wheeler. Seems to me that the delay will be something else. I would hope for some new gigacasting tech such as Thixomolded magnesium as The LImiting Factor explained could be great to reduce weight but who knows if that tech will be ready for this.

[@PeterJenkins-pj3ip]

I've thought for some time tesla may have solved two ideas for production at scale. As mentioned formula one style composite frame for weight reduction and safety. The second is magnetic / electromagnetic breaking. Either of which could contribute to what is being called the 'front end change.'

[@635574]

Base off the cardboard version it could also be an offset 3rd wheel and not dead center. Weird I know but with torque vectoring it could work.

[@darknesstj66]

You are truly amazing ❤❤❤

[@matteoricci9129]

Believe this is one of your most far fetched video of all time

[@sunrisejak2709]

Once a 3 wheeled car is aimed at mainstream the regulators will jump in and have a field day creating new regulations. Lawmakers will not miss an opportunity to mess things up.

[@roman200881]

No wipers?! Doesn't FSD need a clear image to drive as safely as possible?

[@Wirmish]

In my country, you have to wear a motorcycle helmet on any 3-wheeler. Even if there are windows and a roof.

[@jam365days8]

Which country please? 😊