Tesla’s robotaxi reality check, One Nation’s Super proposal & what would you do for $750k?

Alec Renehan (0:00)

I think it's going to be one of the most transformational technologies of our life. It's not about the US anymore. It's now a global race, and you flagged it. China actually is home to the leader. It's by some measures, but I think fair enough to say that the lead has flipped.

Bryce Leske (0:17)

Welcome to another episode of Equity Mates, a show where we explore what's possible in the world of investing. If you've just joined us for the very first time, a huge welcome to our show. My name is Bryce.

Alec Renehan (0:27)

And I'm Ren, and today we are looking at the latest update on Robotaxis, Can I Make Bryce Care? And we're talking all things super, both political proposals to change super and our advice on how you can get your investment options right in your super fund. But Bryce, before we get into all of that, a big exciting announcement, we have less than 200 tickets left for FinFest.

Bryce Leske (0:50)

Less than 200 tickets, Ren. It might still sound like a lot are available, but that's less than 10% of the total tickets on sale with over, what are we now, about seven to eight weeks to go. So we will sell out. That is something that we can guarantee right here, right now. Make sure you grab your tickets. They're only $55. And no matter where you are on your investing journey, there are sessions for you on the day.

Alec Renehan (1:14)

So head to equitymates.com/finfest. If you're a financial advisor and you want a preview on the Friday before FinFest on the Saturday, we are hosting an exclusive session for financial advisors. Head to equitymates.com/finfestdashindustry.

Bryce always laughs when I read out the URL. Maybe just head to the link in the show notes or the YouTube description. I will include both the links for the main day and for the advisor preview. But come along and check it out. It's going to be an epic day.

Bryce Leske (1:43)

Cannot wait. FinFest is proudly brought to you by Betashares.

All right, Ren, news we're covering off this morning. The latest on Robotaxis. Can't wait for that. And there's a debate going on around superannuation and whether or not we can get access to it. But let's start with Robotaxis.

Alec Renehan (2:04)

Well, yeah, I think we're headlining this. Does Bryce care about the latest Robotaxis update? Because for longtime listeners of the show, they will know that I have been incredibly excited by the rollout of Robotaxis. I think it's going to be one of the most transformational technologies of our life. And you haven't really cared.

Bryce Leske (2:21)

No, no, no, no, no. I definitely agree that it is a transformational technology and I can't wait to see it rolled out globally. But doing the, there's now 200,000 in Texas, 250,000 in Texas, 300,000 in Texas, was the update that I didn't quite need.

SPEAKER_3 (2:37)

Okay, okay.

Alec Renehan (2:38)

Well, I've got an update for you. You tell me if you care.

SPEAKER_3 (2:41)

Okay.

Alec Renehan (2:42)

All right. So the update is Tesla has launched the Cybercab, a robotaxi with no controls.

Dangerous. Okay, so he's interested. It's not the first robotaxi with no human controls. That on it goes to Zooks, and we'll get back to Zooks later. But it's obviously the biggest launch. It's a big step forward in the form factor of the car changing.

Bryce Leske (3:05)

What do you mean no controls?

Alec Renehan (3:06)

So it's a two-seater car. It basically is like a scaled-down version of the...

Cybertruck? Cybertruck, yeah. So it's a scaled-down version of that. Two-seater car, no steering wheel, no pedals, no side mirrors, no conventional driver's seat, and a big old iPad screen for the two...

Bryce Leske (3:23)

Two-seater sounds like a miss. Why not go four?

Alec Renehan (3:25)

More boot space?

Bryce Leske (3:27)

I guess so.

Alec Renehan (3:29)

So Tesla launched it. It was a bit of a lackluster launch, I must say. Elon Musk didn't rock up.

There were two million people waiting on X for the live stream that just never happened, and it was like a 15-minute prezo from a few Tesla execs. But the Cybercab has been flagged for a while, so it's not new news that it was coming, it's just new news that it launched. As it launched, the US government immediately opened an investigation into it. Actually, I should check in. Interested in the story so far?

Bryce Leske (4:01)

It's piqued my interest. Okay, that's good.

Alec Renehan (4:04)

So, Tesla launched it and immediately began offering rides in Austin, in Texas. Okay. Then the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration immediately opened an investigation. Why?