Tesla’s Cybercab hits Austin streets, taking aim at Uber and Waymo

Texas witnessed the launch of Tesla's self-driving robotaxi, known as the "Cybercab," on September 4, 2024, as the company seeks to challenge industry giants like Uber and Waymo. The gold-colored vehicle, unveiled in October 2024, features no pedals or steering wheel, and is specifically designed for driverless taxi services. CEO Elon Musk shared a photo of the Cybercab in Austin, Texas's capital city, where the company is headquartered.

Cybercabs have been spotted on Austin's streets prior to the event, and passengers now have access to the new vehicle through Tesla's updated app.

Graham Sprigg, a tourist from Australia, remarked on the potential impact of Cybercabs, stating that they would "change transportation from owning your own car to actually just getting transportation as a service." Tesla CEO Musk predicted a "storm of Cybercabs" in Austin, where the company held an invite-only event at an entertainment venue, not accessible to the media. Attendees at the event were the first to experience driverless Cybercabs, which will be made available to the public starting today.

The vehicle's safety and ease of use for disabled people were highlighted by Tesla in its promotional materials, with the company claiming that the Cybercab aims to "democratize clean transportation for all." Tesla introduced self-driving cars in Austin last year using Model Y SUVs, with the "Robotaxi" service gradually expanding to several other cities in Texas, Florida, and California. However, state laws require many vehicles to have a human supervisor or driver ready to take control if needed.

Waymo, Google's self-driving vehicle subsidiary, operates in 11 US cities. As of Wednesday, Tesla had registered 314 robotaxis in Texas, including 45 Cybercabs, according to FSD Database, based on data from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Analyst Itay Michaeli of TD Securities expects a "slow launch" of the Cybercab similar to the Robotaxi, as the company will likely consider feedback from early users before expanding the service.

Texas's regulations favoring autonomous vehicles have made it an attractive testing ground for various autonomous vehicle services, such as Waymo, Zoox, and Motional. Senior research associate Anthony Townsend from Cornell Tech believes that Tesla is just beginning its journey, and it remains uncertain which company in the competitive field will ultimately develop the most effective business model.