Tesla Launches Steering-Wheel-Free Cybercab Robotaxi Service in Austin

(RTTNews) – Tesla Inc. has begun offering Cybercab rides in select areas of Austin, Texas, marking a significant step in the company’s autonomous vehicle ambitions. The two-seater vehicle features no steering wheel or pedals, representing a bold departure from traditional automotive design.

The exclusive Cybercab launch event took place in Austin on Thursday for the distinctive golden, butterfly-door vehicles. The event, attended by investors, potential customers, and social media personalities, provided details on dynamic pricing strategies, manufacturing plans, and technological innovations.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated it is monitoring the development and evaluating the situation. Current federal safety regulations require vehicles to have human controls, limiting the sale of vehicles without steering wheels and pedals. Established manufacturers, however, are permitted to deploy unlimited numbers of such vehicles for testing purposes.

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has described the Cybercab as the first vehicle specifically designed for unsupervised full self-driving capabilities.

The Cybercab is viewed as crucial to Tesla’s transformation into a leader in driverless vehicles, with plans for it to eventually become the company’s highest-volume model within a global robotaxi network.

This development occurs as Tesla’s core electric vehicle business faces increasing competition, particularly from Chinese EV manufacturers.

Musk emphasized that expanding the robotaxi service and broader adoption of Tesla’s full self-driving software are central to the company’s growth strategy.

Tesla currently operates a limited robotaxi ride-hailing service using a fleet of autonomous Model Y vehicles. The company intends to make the steering-wheel-free Cybercab the primary model in its expanding robotaxi network over time.

The company launched its pilot robotaxi service in Austin in June 2025 and has since expanded to additional cities. Tesla now offers driverless rides in several U.S. locations, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

As of Wednesday evening, Tesla had 420 autonomous vehicles registered in Texas, including 45 Cybercab units.

In comparison, Tesla’s autonomous vehicle competitor Waymo, owned by Alphabet, has registered 988 vehicles in the state.

Earlier this week, Waymo announced the expansion of its public robotaxi service to Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, bringing its commercial operations to 14 U.S. cities as it continues to extend its lead in the autonomous ride-hailing market.

In pre-market trading on Nasdaq, Tesla shares were down approximately 2.09 percent, trading at $368.50, following a 5.42 percent gain in the previous day’s regular trading session.

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