There was a time when the idea of a driverless vehicle seemed like science fiction. Today, thanks to several operators (USA and China above all) this concept has definitely entered the event horizon. Today Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk they take it even further with Robovan, which is not just an electric vehicle: it is a revolution in the very concept of group transport. Presented during the event “We Robot“, this futuristic van promises to transport up to 20 people in total autonomy, without a steering wheel or pedals. But what does this innovation really mean for us? How will it change the way we travel, work, and experience the city? We open a window on the future of urban mobility and beyond.
A vehicle that defies the imagination
The Robovan presents itself as a vehicle with bold and futuristic shapes. Its silhouette, described as a “block of a vehicle,” suggests an unconventional design that prioritizes functionality and aerodynamic efficiency. The absence of a steering wheel and pedals emphasizes its completely autonomous nature, freeing up interior space and redefining the travel experience for passengers.
The interior of the Robovan has been designed to maximize comfort and practicality. With a capacity of 20 people, it offers a spacious and bright environment, characterized by white upholstery that amplifies the feeling of airiness. An interesting detail is the height of the floor, designed to facilitate the entry and exit of passengers, an aspect not to be overlooked for a vehicle also designed to handle disabled people and people with special needs.
Robovan: More than just a means of transportation
The Robovan seems to be the transcribed (or rather, drawn) form of the vision of Musk for the future of mobility. Its presentation places it in the broader context of robotics and artificial intelligence applied to transportation. This suggests that the Robovan will be part of a much larger ecosystem of autonomous and connected vehicles, potentially able to communicate with each other and with the urban infrastructure with an “intelligent matrix” (which in this case is already in action, and it's called Dojo) that coordinates them.
Musk specified that the Robovan is ideal for transporting groups such as sports teams. This opens up interesting prospects for its potential use not only as a means of urban public transport, but also for more specialized services such as transporting athletes, students or tourists: its versatility could make it an attractive solution for a wide range of applications in the transport sector.
Robovan's Future Challenges
Once the presentation hangover is over (and I must say that this devil always manages to “suspend” my disbelief for a few moments), my usual open questions remain. First of all, the release date: there aren’t too many details, except for the fact that this scenario will be a reality before 2027. The price is out of the question. The issue needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, because Musk’s ambitions have not always obeyed the deadlines he himself has given. Take the Cybertruck: presented in 2019, promised for 2021 at a price of around 39.000 euros, actually arrived 4 years later, and at much higher prices. It would still be fine, if you think that other things (like the Tesla Roadster) were announced in 2017 and have yet to see the light of day.
In short, go for broke. As always. Self-driving technology, while rapidly developing, still faces significant regulatory and public acceptance hurdles. The idea of a fully autonomous vehicle capable of carrying 20 people raises safety and liability issues that will need to be carefully addressed. Additionally, integrating a vehicle like the Robovan into existing urban infrastructure will likely require significant adaptations. Creating a transportation ecosystem in which autonomous vehicles like the Robovan can operate effectively is a challenge that goes beyond simply manufacturing the vehicle itself.
But this is how I see the future. Images of carriages pass before my eyes, then of horse-drawn trams, trolleybus-type ones, those on wheels, and this really seems like the next scene. The Robovan will probably take a little longer to arrive, but it will arrive. And in the future, you can be sure, we will move in this way too.
