France tests Tesla's self-driving tech as Europe moves closer to autonomous cars

Tesla plans to introduce its self-driving robotaxi, named Cybercab, in Texas on Thursday in an effort to rival competitors such as Uber and Waymo. The gold-colored vehicle, unveiled in October 2024, features no pedals or steering wheel and is engineered to offer driverless taxi services for up to two passengers. CEO Elon Musk shared a photo of the Cybercab on X, positioned over Austin, Texas, the company's headquarters, with a cloud of dust in the background.

An exclusive invitation event for Cybercab users is set to commence at 4:45 pm local time in Austin. While Tesla has provided limited details, insiders claim the event will commence at the specified time. Last year, Tesla introduced self-driving cars in Austin using Model Y SUVs, with the Robotaxi service gradually expanding to other Texas, Florida, and California cities. However, state regulations in Texas mandate that many vehicles must have a human supervisor or driver capable of assuming control if needed.

As of Wednesday, Tesla had registered 314 robotaxis in Texas, including 45 Cybercabs, according to FSD Database, which analyzed data from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Analyst Itay Michaeli from TD Securities anticipates a gradual rollout of the Cybercab, similar to the initial launch of the Robotaxi. The company will likely take user feedback into account before expanding the service, Michaeli added.

Texas offers regulatory advantages for autonomous vehicles, positioning it as a favored testing ground for robotaxi services like Waymo, Zoox, and Motional. Tesla is only just beginning its exploration, according to Anthony Townsend, a senior research associate at Cornell Tech, a policy research organization in New York. It remains uncertain which company among the numerous competitors will develop the most effective business model. Townsend also questioned when these companies might achieve profitability.