The controversial world of Elon Musk
Tesla unveil their new Robovan and Cybercab
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CELEBRITY Business
One of the richest and most high-profile entrepreneurs of the modern age, Elon Musk has become an increasingly controversial figure. His 2022 takeover of Twitter, now called X, cast him in an unflattering new light as millions of users got a front-row seat to his every move, from laying off thousands of employees to unsuspending accounts that spread misinformation and hate speech.
Fidelity estimates that X is now worth just US$9.4 billion—a staggering 79% drop from Elon Musk's $44 billion purchase price. Shrinking ad revenue and concerns over content moderation have contributed to the decline, with some advertisers pulling back from the platform. His recent endorsement of Donald Trump for president has complicated his public image even further.
On October 11, at an event dubbed 'We, Robot,' Musk's company Tesla unveiled a new range of driverless vehicles. The first was the "Cybercab," a futuristic self-driving taxi that will cost less than US$30,000 and only $0.20 per mile to operate—much cheaper than a traditional cab. The car looks similar to a Tesla Cybertruck but is painted entirely gold and has butterfly doors. The Cybercab reportedly has an "inductive charging" system, which is essentially wireless charging. The company debuted another autonomous vehicle they're calling the Robovan, also gold, which can be used as a cargo carrier. Musks says his autonomous cars are likely to be 10-20 times safer than a traditional car and he aims to get them on the road in California and Texas in 2025.
Click through the following gallery to learn more about Musk's controversial life and career up to this point, from his entrepreneurial rise to his fall as a public figure.
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