RoboRevolution: Rimac's Wild Ride into the Autonomous Taxi Niche
I've spent years in the driver's seat of every type of vehicle imaginable, from hypercars that defy gravity to boats that sail like they're on a mission from Poseidon himself. I’ve even spent a few years driving taxis around London and today, because of that, it feels kinda special. I'm diving into a world where cars drive themselves, and it's not just any car - it's Rimac's attempt at an autonomous robotaxi. Yes, the same folks who gave us the reality re-shaping Nevera, an electric hypercar so fast it makes your heartbeat sync with techno music.
Rimac, the Croatian daredevils behind the Nevera, are taking a detour into mass-market mobility with their Project 3 Mobility initiative. And what's their first move? A robotaxi. Because why not? Nothing says "changing lives" like a self-driving car picking you up for a night out. Mate Rimac, the Rimac and Bugatti CEO, sat down for a chat with the guys from Autocar and let’s just say - if you thought the Nevera was revolutionary, you may wanna think that through.
The autonomous robotaxi is set to make its debut as a pilot prototype this year, and according to the Rimac crew, it's going to revolutionize urban transport. But hold on to your charging cables; there's actually quite a bit more to this story than meets the electric eye.
You might be wondering why Rimac, the masterminds behind super-fast machines, is delving into the world of robotaxis - let me tell you, you’re not alone. According to CEO Mate Rimac, the Nevera is like a superhero - impressive, but not everyone can afford to have one. The robotaxi, on the other hand, aims to be the people's champ, providing eco-friendly urban transport that's as accessible as the office coffee machine.
But let's not get too carried away with the hype. Rimac is keeping a tight lid on the details, probably to avoid the embarrassment of "underdelivering." Rumor has it that Kia is throwing some support behind this electric circus, but specifics are as elusive as a cat on a hot tin roof.
The robotaxi, described by Mate Rimac as "a car but a completely different type," sounds like the lovechild of a DeLorean and a UFO. It's not your average run-of-the-mill vehicle; it's a bespoke, electric wonder designed to maximize space and efficiency. And if the rumor mill is to be believed, Rimac has been using a Renault Espace MPV for testing purposes. A minivan turned into a robotaxi? Now that's a plot twist even Hollywood couldn't dream up.
Rimac, being the ever-forward-thinking bunch of clever clocks, isn't just unleashing a self-driving car into the wild. Oh no, that would be uncool, instead they're developing a whole ecosystem around it. Chargers, storage hubs, parking spaces - the whole shebang. It's like a sci-fi movie where the car is the star, but the supporting cast steals the show. Basically, Rimac is creating a taxi business in the box - you could in essence buy a complete taxi firm with a fleet of cars and all supporting infrastructure without the need for a single driver… I can imagine the commotion already. The robotaxi is gearing up to chauffeur you around without any human input. No driver, no problem. It's a car that thinks it's a chauffeur. Elon Musk, eat your heart out.
Now, here's the kicker. Rimac is staying so undercover, they make spies look like gossip columnists. Project 3 is like the secret agent of the Rimac Group, operating incognito, separate from the hypercar-making big shots and the Bugatti enthusiasts. They're playing it cool, waiting until they have a product to flaunt. It's like telling everyone you're throwing a party but only sending out invitations when the DJ arrives.
But hey, it's not all smoke and mirrors. Project 3 just bagged a cool €179.5 million in funding from the EU. I guess even self-driving cars need a little financial boost. They're planning to build a dedicated factory for the robotaxi, setting up shop in Croatia before spreading their electric wings across Europe and the Middle East. Zagreb gets a taste first, followed by Germany and the UK. Get ready, Londoners, the future is electric and apparently chauffeur-less.
Whichever way we try to spin this cat, Rimac is about to flip the script on urban transport - there are no ifs and no buts about that. And they're doing it with a robotaxi that's as mysterious as a cat burglar. Will it be a game-changer or just another electric sideshow? My skeptical senses are tingling but my ever-lasting love of sci-fi gets the better of me and I’m excited about the future. Until that future arrives though, grab your popcorn and enjoy the show.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
