Ex-Waymo CEO is not impressed by Tesla's Robotaxi

Musk revealed a fleet of prototype Robotaxis — officially called the Cybercab — on Thursday night to a crowd at Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio in Burbank, California.

Musk rode in one of the prototypes before sharing a few details, including that Tesla had manufactured at least 20 Cybercabs and that the vehicles would be in production before 2027. Alongside the Robotaxi, Tesla also showed off a 20-passenger Robovan and its Optimus humanoid robots.

But Musk's attempt to drum up hype around his products fell flat with Krafcik, as well as some Tesla investors. Tesla shares fell as much as 10% in early trading on Friday.

Waymo and Tesla are battling to become the top authority in autonomous driving technology. Krafcik stepped down from his Waymo role in 2021 but has remained in the EV industry. He now serves on Rivian's board of directors.

"Remember, back in 2016, when Donald Trump said: 'I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?'" Krafcik wrote. "The event last night was the automotive industry version of that, with the CEO of Tesla playing Donald Trump."

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