Tesla has officially launched its Cybercab robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, with public rides now available. The Cybercab is a gold-tinted, gull-wing-door two-seater designed without a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors, relying solely on a camera-only system and AI-powered neural net for navigation. This approach contrasts sharply with rivals like Waymo, which use multiple sensors including lidar.
While the Cybercab uses a modified version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, unlike the Level 2 FSD in consumer vehicles, these robotaxis are monitored by remote operators who can intervene if needed. Tesla aims to mass-produce these vehicles more affordably by foregoing traditional controls and complex sensor suites. Elon Musk has suggested that the Cybercab could be purchased for less than $30,000, allowing individuals to operate their own robotaxi fleets.
The expansion into Austin represents a significant step for Tesla's robotaxi ambitions, as the company feels most confident in its driverless capabilities there. Tesla has faced regulatory and technological hurdles, needing exemptions from federal safety rules that mandate steering wheels and pedals. The company currently has approximately 110 Model Y vehicles operating in Austin's robotaxi service, with the addition of Cybercabs expected to significantly increase this number. Some reports indicate Tesla had 45 Cybercab vehicles authorized for driverless operations in Texas as of early September.
