Tesla Tests Camouflaged Robotaxi Prototype Ahead of October Reveal Amidst Australian Sales Fluctuations

Tesla is testing a camouflaged prototype of its highly anticipated Robotaxi ahead of its official debut, scheduled for October 10 at Warner Bros. Studio.

As reported by Electrek, Tesla is currently running multiple vehicles around the lot for mapping purposes, preparing for the event.

A recent photo captured by an employee at the studio has sparked intrigue, as it reveals what appears to be a heavily camouflaged Robotaxi.

The image, shared on social media before the original post was deleted, shows a bright yellow, oddly shaped vehicle leading another Tesla across the Warner Bros. lot.

The camouflaging, designed to obscure the final form, deviates from traditional patterns, opting instead for a more playful, cartoonish appearance.

This camouflaged sighting comes at a time when Tesla’s sales figures have shown notable fluctuations. According to recent data, Tesla has delivered 28,101 vehicles in the first eight months of 2024, experiencing a year-over-year decline of 15.3%. Although sales saw growth in February and March, reaching peaks of over 5,000 deliveries in each month, other months like January and April reported significant drops, with deliveries falling by 66.6% and 43.5%, respectively.

August alone saw a 30.45% decline compared to the previous year, reflecting a volatile market for Tesla’s electric vehicles, particularly in Australia where overall electric vehicle sales have faced similar trends.

Despite these fluctuations, Tesla remains a key player in the electric vehicle market, and the upcoming Robotaxi reveal is highly anticipated.

The prototype spotted at Warner Bros. bears some resemblance to earlier concept designs, particularly its low front nose and streamlined shape. However, Tesla’s decision to mask the vehicle with additional bodywork and an unusually large box-like structure at the rear has left observers curious about the final design.

One intriguing feature on the prototype is a small bump located at the top of the windshield, which some have speculated could house LiDAR technology—despite Tesla’s longstanding stance against LiDAR in favor of vision-based systems.

If confirmed, this could mark a significant shift in Tesla’s approach to autonomous driving, although it remains unverified at this stage.

As Tesla moves closer to the Robotaxi's unveiling, the company continues to maintain a high level of secrecy, but with more sightings like this, further details are likely to emerge soon.

Given the significance of this launch and the current state of Tesla’s sales performance, all eyes will be on the Warner Bros. event next month.

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