Tesla reveals new Cybercab details: no young kids allowed, wire-controlled brakes
Documents and app terms released after Tesla's low-key Cybercab event revealed several previously unknown details, including a ban on children under 13 riding the autonomous taxi. The vehicle still faces safety scrutiny and a US regulatory investigation.
Tesla recently held a private event to unveil its autonomous Cybercab robotaxi — a far quieter affair than the company's usual public launches, and reportedly CEO Elon Musk did not even speak at it. Many technical and safety details about the vehicle only surfaced through documents Tesla released and updated terms of service in its "Robotaxi" app, while other information was shared online by attendees.
Restrictions for children
One of the more surprising disclosures is that Tesla currently bans children under 13 from riding in the Cybercab. By contrast, children between 8 and 17 are permitted in Tesla's "Robotaxi" Model Y vehicles. In both cases, minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Notably, the Cybercab lacks standard LATCH anchors for child car seats — they can only be secured using the seat belt.
What happens in a crash
In the event of a collision, the Cybercab deploys its airbags, automatically unlocks the doors, activates hazard and interior lights, disables the high-voltage battery, moves the windows to a "vent" position, brakes to a stop, and opens a two-way connection with Tesla's rider support team. The automatic door unlocking is significant given past criticism of Tesla's electronic door latches in both the US and China, where the company agreed last month to recall 3 million vehicles over the same issue.
Other technical details
The Cybercab relies on electronic door latches for entry and exit, though each door has a clearly placed manual release on the armrest. The vehicle also uses a brake-by-wire system, replacing a traditional hydraulic setup with electronic actuators — Musk said this avoids the added complexity of routing hydraulic lines throughout the car. The windows currently cannot be fully opened, for reasons Tesla has not explained. The Cybercab also includes USB-C outlets delivering up to 90 watts of power, notably more than what's typically found in vehicles.
Tesla still needs to demonstrate the vehicle's safety to the public, local governments, and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has already opened an investigation into the Cybercab rollout.
