Tesla launches Cybercab robotaxi in Austin
US electric vehicle maker Tesla officially launched its autonomous robotaxi, the Cybercab, in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, where the company is headquartered. First unveiled in 2024, the gold coloured vehicle is a two seat sedan with no steering wheel or pedals, relying entirely on autonomous driving software to provide near full autonomy. It is equipped only with a large interactive touchscreen inside the car and can carry two passengers.
When a car loses its steering wheel, pedals and mirrors, it ceases to be just a vehicle — it becomes a mobile robot whose task is not to drive but to deliver. Tesla, which has promised an autopilot revolution for decades, is finally moving from words to action. The Cybercab is not just another model but a symbol of a new stage, where the car becomes a service and the driver becomes a passenger. But along with the excitement of tech enthusiasts come questions: are cities, laws and people ready for a world where cars do not ask where to go but simply go?
According to Tesla, the final target price of the Cybercab is about $30,000, with an expected energy consumption of 9.8 kilometres per kilowatt hour. Tesla has already provided paid rides in a designated area of Austin using 45 Cybercab robotaxis.
Analysts note that the launch of this vehicle marks a shift in Tesla's autonomous driving service from modified cars to purpose built autonomous vehicles. Unlike previous versions of autopilot, which were installed on existing Tesla models, the Cybercab was designed from the outset as a fully autonomous vehicle. The removal of the steering wheel and pedals is not just a design choice but a fundamental step towards rethinking mobility.
In Austin, where the company is conducting pilot tests, the Cybercab has already taken to the streets with paying passengers. However, mass deployment will require not only technical refinement but also legislative changes and urban infrastructure adaptation. Safety and liability issues in the event of accidents remain open. Nevertheless, Tesla is confident that by the end of the decade, robotaxis will become a familiar part of cityscapes around the world.
As CCTV+ reports, the launch of the Cybercab in Austin marks a turning point for Tesla and the entire autonomous driving industry. The removal of the steering wheel and pedals is not just a technical novelty but a philosophical shift: the car ceases to be a tool of control and becomes a space for movement. The future has already arrived, and it is driverless. However, the path to full automation will be long, and Tesla's success in Austin will be an important test for the entire industry.
