The Robotaxi is Here! (So Where are the Robotaxis?)

The long-promised Tesla Robotaxi made its debut in Austin, Texas, this week to much fanfare. The company promised bespoke autonomous cab service in the home of their headquarters, and they delivered…

They delivered something, anyway.

What’s that? It wasn’t quite what was promised? And it was longer-awaited than promised? And it was kind of a mini launch? Fine, other news outlets dig into that. As model car nerds, we just want to know when we can get it in diecast.

FULL DISCLAIMER: We promise to write about Tesla without getting into the political and social aspects of their CEO, Elon Musk, at least as much as one can discuss the company without doing such. Promises are sometimes hard to keep.

The Robotaxi concept was a small-ish two-door fastback coupe. Sleek and futuristic, it looks like a fun sports coupe. Two problems: Just about every other car from Tesla has the same basic shape, and such a car doesn’t sound like the ideal platform for moving people and their belongings around town, especially without a human attendant on hand. 

So they launched the service using modified Tesla Model Y vehicles, which have the size and doors to be the basis for a more useful mobility solution. Also, while “self-driving,” there was still an attendant riding along to be safe. And it was only available in very select areas of Austin to an even more select number of folks who signed up to participate.

So much for the Johnny Cab from Total Recall.

Once again, where are the models of it?

Well, you can get a model of a Tesla Model Y from several companies as long as you collect 1/64. Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and Tomica all offer small versions of it. 

There are models of just about every Tesla vehicle offered, but maddeningly, most are only in 1/64-scale. The Roadster is available in the current model (those are actually available to drive for real now, right?) or the original (including a space version!).

And of course, you can get several models of the controversial Cybertruck. They even come in colors besides stainless steel!

But what about the Robotaxi? Not the Model Y, the real (or at least promised) version? There is one model of the Robotaxi available, and it’s pretty cool. Speedform made an abstract model of the proposed car for release at special events. It’s a sleek, minimalistic design, even more so than the real thing.

Speedform’s concept is similar to offerings from Essence of the Car, but without wheels, reducing the car to a sleek object that still feels like the spirit of motion. Kind of looks like it’s under wraps, waiting to be revealed. Sort of like the real thing?

Hot Wheels has also dabbled in such minimalism with some keychain models. 

The coolest thing about the Speedform model? They have already covered the entire Tesla line with a commemorative 20th anniversary set. So even if you won’t likely see a Robotaxi or a new Roadster or a Semi anytime soon on the real road, at least you can get them in diecast. So you can collect them all before the real world can.

Sometimes, small promises are the ones easiest to keep. And at least we didn’t say anything unflattering about Musk!