Tesla to launch self-driving ‘Cybercab’ in Texas

Tesla plans to unveil its self-driving robotaxi, the Cybercab, in Texas on Thursday, aiming to challenge competitors such as Uber and Waymo. First revealed in October 2024, the gold-toned vehicle lacks pedals or a steering wheel and is engineered for driverless passenger transport. With a capacity for two riders, the Cybercab was developed specifically for self-driving taxi services.

CEO Elon Musk shared a photograph of the Cybercab looming over Austin, Texas, Tesla's home city, via X. In late August, Tesla announced exclusive access to Cybercabs for the event in Austin, with the company sharing minimal details. Enthusiasts who believe they have been invited to the event suggest it will commence at 4:45 pm local time.

In 2023, Tesla introduced self-driving cars in Austin using Model Y SUVs, with the Robotaxi service gradually expanding to other Texas, Florida, and California cities. Nevertheless, state regulations mandate that many vehicles have a human supervisor or driver ready to intervene if needed. As of Wednesday, Tesla had registered 314 robotaxis in Texas, comprising 45 Cybercabs, according to FSD Database, based on data from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Analyst Itay Michaeli from TD Securities anticipates a gradual launch of the Cybercab, similar to the Robotaxi, as the company considers feedback from early users before expanding the service. Texas, with its supportive regulations for autonomous vehicles, serves as a popular testing ground for multiple robotaxi services, including Waymo, Zoox, and Motional.

Senior research associate Anthony Townsend from Cornell Tech posits that Tesla is only just beginning its journey in this domain and it is uncertain which company among the competitive field will emerge with the most effective business model.