Apple: Introducing, transparent icons.
Tesla: Introducing, Robotaxis. pic.twitter.com/6LdlzLQo3F
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 10, 2025
Apple and Tesla are moving in opposite directions, and the contrast couldn’t be clearer. Apple, once the undisputed leader in innovation, unveiled transparent icons for iOS. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is preparing to launch 10 million autonomous robotaxis, a fleet designed to revolutionize transportation and slash costs for riders.
Tesla’s ambitions are staggering. Musk projects that Tesla will capture over 90% of the robotaxi market, leveraging AI-driven, camera-based technology to dominate autonomous rides. The company’s cost advantage over competitors like Waymo is massive, with Tesla’s robotaxis costing only 20 to 25% of Waymo’s production expenses.
Apple’s trajectory is a different story. The company officially exited the self-driving car race, shutting down its autonomous vehicle project after spending billions over 12 years. The decision marks a retreat from a sector that could define the future of mobility.
The rivalry between Musk and Apple goes back years. In 2018, during Tesla’s Model 3 production crisis, Musk offered to sell Tesla to Apple for one-tenth of its current value, but Tim Cook refused to even take the meeting. That decision now looks like a missed opportunity, as Tesla continues to push boundaries while Apple refines home screen aesthetics.
The future is unfolding in front of us, and Tesla is leading the charge. Apple’s latest update may tweak the look of iPhones, but Tesla is reshaping entire industries. The gap between the two companies has never been more obvious.
Sources
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-challenges-alphabet-teslas-163017475.html
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/05/21/waymo-co-ceo-on-10m-driverless-rides-and-teslas-robotaxis.html
https://www.macworld.com/article/675903/musk-wanted-to-sell-tesla-to-apple-cook-refused-meeting.html