Tesla presents Cybercab and self-driving bus at Hollywood event

The boss of US electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, Elon Musk, unveiled its long-promised Cybercab in California on Friday.

The self-driving taxi - also known as a robotaxi - has two upward-opening doors and looks like a coupé based on Tesla's best-selling Model 3.

Tesla expects to start production of the vehicles in 2026, said Musk, though he added he tends to be too optimistic when it comes to schedules.

The Cybercab will also be available to buy and is set to cost less than $30,000.

Initially, software for autonomous driving, which does not require people to take action, is to hit the roads in the US states of Texas and California next year in the current Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

Musk himself was driven to the stage at the event, staged at Hollywood studio Warner Brothers in Los Angeles, by one of the Cybercabs - which does not have a steering wheel.

As it was held on private property, Tesla did not need permission from the transport authorities for the vehicle to appear at the event.

Musk also showed off a futuristic self-driving minibus, the Robovan, which can hold up to 20 people.

The event started almost an hour late, and Musk spoke of a medical emergency among attendees. The audience was mainly made up of analysts and Tesla influencers, who praised the electric car company and its founder online.