Almost two years after its official unveiling, the Tesla Cybercab (also known as Robotaxi) has finally entered service. Tesla has started offering its first paid rides in Austin, Texas, marking the public debut of the fully autonomous robotaxi designed without a steering wheel or pedals.
However, the launch was considerably more low-key than expected. Tesla did not organise a public livestream of the event, leaving some enthusiasts puzzled after they had hoped to watch the launch.
The first paid Cybercab rides in Austin
Cybercab has started carrying paying passengers for the first time, beyond earlier demonstrations involving employees or invited testers. Early accounts describe particularly smooth behaviour from the Full Self-Driving system, which in Cybercab uses a more advanced version than that fitted to Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck. The service operates in the same geofenced area already used by the Model Y-based robotaxi service.
For now, however, the numbers remain a long way from the large-scale transformation envisaged by Tesla. As of 3 September, only 45 Cybercabs were authorised for commercial use in Texas, while the service remains confined to Austin. In 2024, Elon Musk spoke of volume production by 2027, but the project is currently still in its initial operational phase.
Space and technology on board
Tesla has also published several details about the vehicle. Cybercab offers 110 cm of legroom and approximately 572 litres of luggage space, with a load capacity of up to around 100 kg. Safety equipment includes nine cameras monitoring the exterior and cabin, along with roof-mounted radar capable of detecting whether a seat is empty, occupied by an adult or fitted with a child seat. This allows the system to manage the airbags automatically.
The doors also retain mechanical releases that can be used without electrical power. The cabin features independent climate control for its two seats, USB-C ports and an interface based on Unreal Engine. Tesla also says that personal media account data is deleted at the end of each ride.
How much will Cybercab cost?
One of the most important questions remains unanswered: the price. The well-known “under $30,000” figure comes from Elon Musk’s statements in 2024, but Tesla has not yet announced an official price for Cybercab.
Production will also be crucial. Tesla is using its new “unboxed” manufacturing process for Cybercab, based on the parallel assembly of large modules. According to the head of product engineering, this approach has allowed the production line’s footprint to be reduced by 50% while increasing capacity.
When could it reach Europe?
For drivers in Italy and Europe, Cybercab remains some way off. The robotaxi has not arrived in Italy or elsewhere in Europe. Its Austin debut concerns only the US market and a geographically restricted operating area. Europe’s main barrier is the regulatory restrictions on autonomous driving, particularly relevant to a vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals. Before Cybercab can operate on Italian roads, a regulatory framework allowing this level of automation will therefore be needed.
The Austin debut is nevertheless a historic step: for the first time, Cybercab is providing commercial rides with real passengers. Tesla’s real challenge now will be turning this initial operation into a robotaxi network on a genuinely large scale.
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