Tesla begins testing Cybercab without pedals or steering wheel in Austin

First Driverless Test

Tesla has begun testing a production version of its Cybercab — a two-seat, fully autonomous robotaxi — in Austin, Texas. According to a video posted on X, the vehicle has no steering wheel or pedals, and a safety monitor occupies the right passenger seat during the test.

This milestone comes nearly two years after Tesla unveiled the Cybercab design, intended to be hailed via the Tesla app. About a year ago, the company started a robotaxi service in Austin using Model Y SUVs, which have sometimes operated with safety monitors.

Prototypes and Regulatory Changes

In recent weeks, Tesla has been testing Cybercab prototypes equipped with a steering wheel and pedals in several U.S. cities. The company has also parked hundreds of these vehicles in parking lots, fueling speculation about an imminent scaled-up robotaxi network.

A key hurdle may soon be removed. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed eliminating the requirement for brake pedals in vehicles designed exclusively for automated driving. The proposal is still in the public comment period but is expected to be finalized later this year.

Competition with Waymo

Elon Musk and other Tesla executives have argued that Tesla will outcompete current robotaxi leader Waymo. Their main advantage: Tesla builds both the cars and the driving software, giving it greater cost control compared to Waymo, which partners with Jaguar and Zeekr for vehicles.

Tesla aims to achieve full autonomy using only cameras, while Waymo relies on a more complex sensor suite including lidar and radar. Despite years of promises, Tesla has yet to deploy a fully autonomous vehicle at scale. Its closest effort is the Austin robotaxi service, whose size has fluctuated over the past year.

Challenges and Visibility

Both Tesla and Waymo robotaxis have been involved in minor crashes. Waymo vehicles have struggled with highway driving due to construction zones and with avoiding flooded areas during heavy rain, leading to recalls. Tesla's Austin network has faced similar growing pains, but they have been less visible because the company used lightly modified Model Y SUVs.

Introducing the gold-colored, two-seat Cybercabs will make Tesla's struggles and successes much more apparent to the public, as these vehicles are far more distinctive on the road.