Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) unveiled more details about its Cybercab robotaxi Thursday. The event was a follow-up to the official unveiling of the robotaxi years ago and signals Tesla’s more aggressive bet on autonomous vehicles for future growth. One well-known investor is ready to get his hands on as many Cybercab vehicles as possible.
Chamath Palihapitiya Wants Cybercab Fleet
While Tesla plans on launching Cybercabs in as many places it can nationwide, the company may choose to partner with larger companies and individuals on future fleets.
Tesla launched a form for those interested in a fleet to fill out, as highlighted on social media by Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt.
The form asks for information such as name, phone number, and email address, as well as the designated deployment region and whether a person is interested in purchasing a Cybercab fleet or working on mobility hubs and infrastructure.
"Help us build our robotaxi network," the form says.
Among the first people to fill out the form is investor Chamath Palihapitiya.
"Signed up! Let’s build a huge fleet. Put me in coach!" Palihapitiya tweeted.
Palihapitiya’s tweet indicates that the company received his form.
It is unknown whether there is a minimum vehicle commitment to be considered for a fleet or if the interested parties will be able to buy the vehicles outright or operate under a partnership with Tesla.
Either way, Palihapitiya appears ready to go.
Airbnb Meets Uber
For years, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shared his ultimate vision of the Cybercab robotaxi, with the company and individuals able to offer rides in the vehicles when they are not in use and make money by renting them out.
Musk previously said he envisioned an ownership model "like a combination of Airbnb and Uber."
That wording from 2024 may have suggested that partners could buy the Cybercab vehicles and rent them out, while also utilizing Tesla’s infrastructure, such as its app and location services.
Musk doubled down on that vision earlier this year, saying that in the future, robotaxi owners would be able to add their vehicles to Tesla’s autonomous robotaxi fleet.
"I think it will provide an opportunity for a lot of customers to earn more by lending their car to the fleet than their lease cost to Tesla," Musk said. "You basically get paid to own a Tesla."
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