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The Robotaxi event left many investors feeling unimpressed

The autonomous vehicle industry is advancing rapidly, with companies racing to bring self-driving technology to market. Tesla’s (TSLA) recent Robotaxi event, “We, Robot,” aimed to showcase its innovations in this space, but left investors with more questions than clarity. In today’s FA Alpha Daily, we discuss why the lack of detailed timelines and strategies from Tesla has led to skepticism about the company’s ambitious plans.


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Tesla’s (TSLA) long-awaited Robotaxi event, or as it was dubbed, “We, Robot,” was a showcase of futuristic technology and innovation, but it left investors with more questions than answers.

While the event had no shortage of excitement, the market response told a different story.

Tesla’s stock fell by more than 8% the day after the event, signaling that shareholders were not impressed by what was revealed.

This reaction was not without reason, as Tesla’s presentations lacked the details many investors had hoped for.

Many shareholders hoped that the new products announced would boost confidence in the company’s future.

However, the lack of concrete information about production timelines, specifications, and the overall strategy left them with more questions than answers.

The two main highlights were the robotaxis, referred to as the Cybercab, and the Optimus robot.

These innovations could be game changers, but Tesla gave little insight into how it plans to bring them to market.

For instance, no specific details were provided about the Cybercab’s battery size, charging capabilities, or production location.

Without clear guidance, investors are left to speculate on when, or if, these products will actually arrive.

Additionally, Tesla did not provide any updates on other highly anticipated vehicles, such as the Model 2 or the second-generation Roadster.

The lack of information frustrated some shareholders, who had expected to hear more about the company’s plans for these products.

One significant concern raised was Tesla’s decision to forgo Lidar technology in favor of its camera-based system for self-driving.

This choice sets Tesla apart from competitors like Waymo, which uses Lidar for its autonomous vehicles.

While Tesla’s system is more cost-effective, it raises safety concerns, especially in challenging conditions like fog or low light.

Waymo’s use of Lidar and other sensors is considered safer and more reliable, making it more likely to meet regulatory requirements for self-driving cars.

Tesla’s choice to avoid Lidar may lead to delays in getting regulatory approval, adding another hurdle to its self-driving ambitions.

Tesla’s history of missing production deadlines is also a point of worry. Elon Musk has often promised fully autonomous vehicles “soon,” yet those timelines have been pushed back time and again.

At the event, Musk hinted that Tesla aims to start production on the Cybercab by 2026, but his track record makes it hard for investors to take this date seriously. Delays, combined with regulatory challenges, could push this timeline even further.

As for the Optimus robot, while its potential is enormous, it is still far from a reality. Musk made bold claims about the robot’s capabilities, including performing tasks like babysitting or dog walking, but there are few details on how Tesla plans to develop and commercialize such a complex product.

The idea of replacing human labor with robots is intriguing. Still, the timeline for Optimus to become viable is uncertain, and investors are left wondering how long it will take before the robot makes an impact.

In the end, Tesla’s high valuation is a major sticking point. The company is priced for perfection, but there are too many unknowns surrounding its future technologies.

The autonomous vehicle market is incredibly competitive, and Tesla is not the leader in this space. Companies like Waymo are already far ahead in terms of technology and safety, leaving Tesla to play catch-up.

For now, Tesla remains a car company with big dreams, but investors are skeptical of whether those dreams can become reality anytime soon.

Until there is clearer progress on its new products and more transparency around its plans, many investors are likely to remain cautious.


Best regards,

Joel Litman & Rob Spivey
Chief Investment Strategist &
Director of Research
at Valens Research

The Uniform Accounting insights in today’s issue are the same ones that power some of our best stock picks and macro research, which can be found in our FA Alpha Daily newsletters.

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