Elon Musk's Latest Ventures: Pickleball Paddles and Robotaxis

Elon Musk's Tesla has recently launched a luxury pickleball paddle priced at $350, developed in collaboration with Selkirk, a sports equipment manufacturer. According to Breitbart News, this paddle is made from carbon fiber with a foam core, optimized for high-performance play.

The partnership originated from discussions at the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships, leading to prototypes being tested for aerodynamics at Tesla. The product sold out in three hours upon launch, reflecting the growing popularity of pickleball among affluent individuals, with participation reportedly rising by 45.8 percent since 2023.

Meanwhile, Tesla is also testing its driverless robotaxis in Austin without safety drivers or passengers. Gizmodo reports that videos of these vehicles driving autonomously have sparked excitement among Musk's supporters, who view it as a significant breakthrough.

However, Tesla's fleet is still small, with only 31 active robotaxis reported, and the company faces competition from rivals like Waymo, which operates a much larger fleet. CNBC highlighted that Tesla's stock rose after Musk confirmed these tests, but there are concerns about the safety and reliability of the technology, especially given that Tesla's vehicles have been involved in several accidents.

Tesla aims to expand its robotaxi service, with Musk stating that unsupervised driving could be available soon, marking a pivotal move in the evolution of autonomous vehicles. As these ventures unfold, Musk's unconventional approach to business continues to attract both praise and skepticism.