Tesla’s viral ad for its new Cybercab robotaxi has one glaring problem
The newest addition to Tesla’s fleet of robotaxis is now on the road. Previously, Tesla’s driverless taxi service offered only one make of vehicle, called the Model Y. Now, it’s adding the Cybercab, a golden car with butterfly doors, interactive touchscreens, and no steering wheel. So far, the Cybercab is only available in Austin, Texas, but a viral advertisement for the new vehicles has social…
Tesla has unveiled its new Cybercab robotaxi model, which debuted in Austin, Texas. The vehicle, adorned with butterfly doors and interactive touchscreens, sports no steering wheel. However, the Cybercab has sparked controversy due to its advertisement's claim of being "designed to be a great experience for every rider." Yet, this assertion has been questioned by social media users who pointed out the apparent lack of accessibility for solo riders who use mobility aids.
Taking a closer look at the advertisement, it shows riders with mobility aids, like wheelchairs and crutches, placing their devices in the Cybercab’s trunk. However, this presents an issue: how can a solo rider with a mobility aid access the vehicle after placing their aid in the trunk? Social media users have been quick to mock the ad for its seeming disregard for accessibility, with some sarcastically suggesting they "pick up your wheelchair and place it in the trunk, and walk over to the door."
Some users even allege that the ad is merely a marketing ploy to attract investors while failing to deliver an actually accessible product. They argue that the Cybercab ad lacks nuance and fails to consider the real-world difficulties faced by disabled individuals. While some users with mobility aids can walk unaided or have a passenger to help them, the advertisement doesn't accurately portray the situation for many disabled people.
The Cybercab does have some accessibility features, according to Tesla’s FAQ page, such as audio and visual supplements, wheelchair-height bench-style seating, trunk space for wheelchairs, room in the cab for service animals, and braille on the doors and buttons. However, solo wheelchair users aren't specifically addressed in the FAQ page, and Tesla's broader support section for all robotaxis suggests that customers requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicle rides should seek third-party providers through the Robotaxi app.
Tesla has not yet responded to inquiries about the Cybercab's accessibility.
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