Tesla has begun offering public rides in Austin for its much-anticipated Cybercab , marking a significant milestone for the company’s autonomous driving ambitions. The Tesla Cybercab two-seat, fully autonomous vehicle is now carrying paying passengers for the first time, moving beyond employee testing and limited invited rides.
The initial rollout is restricted to the same Austin service area currently used by Tesla’s Model Y robotaxi fleet. The Tesla Cybercab features a distinctive steering-wheel-free and pedal-free design, underscoring Tesla’s vision of a fully autonomous transportation network.
Closed Launch Surprises Tesla Fans
While expectations were high for a major public unveiling, Tesla surprised many followers by holding a closed launch event without a livestream.
Thousands of fans had been waiting online for a live broadcast, with Tesla’s related social media post attracting more than two million views. However, no general-public livestream was made available. Tesla indicated that the Tesla Cybercab launch was an exclusive event, with videos and additional details expected to be released through its own channels.
The decision fuelled disappointment among some enthusiasts who had anticipated a larger public showcase of Tesla’s latest autonomous vehicle.
Early Ride Highlights Advanced FSD
Tesla Cybercab commentator Sawyer Merritt, who attended the event and experienced a Cybercab ride, described the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) performance as smooth.
The Cybercab uses a more advanced version of Tesla’s FSD technology https://www.tesla.com/fsdthan the system currently offered in vehicles such as the Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck. Unlike those models, however, the Cybercab is designed from the outset to operate without conventional driving controls.
For now, rides remain limited to Austin and operate within a defined geofenced area.
Ambitious Vision Meets a Cautious Rollout
The limited launch highlights the gap between Tesla’s ambitious robotaxi promises and its current deployment. As of September 3, only 45 Cybercabs were authorised for commercial robotaxi operations in Texas.
CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybercab in October 2024, targeting volume production before 2027. He had also previously indicated that unsupervised Model 3 and Model Y robotaxi rides would arrive in 2025.
Public Tesla Cybercab rides have finally begun, but the rollout remains confined to Austin rather than the broader multi-city expansion initially envisioned.
Tesla is also inviting prospective users to register their interest through its Robotaxi Network programme, signalling that the company continues to build towards a larger autonomous ride-hailing network.
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