Tesla launches Cybercab production without a steering wheel for $30,000
The first production Cybercab rolled off the assembly line in Texas. This was reported by Tesla CEO Elon Musk on social network X. The new two-seater electric vehicle lacks a steering wheel and pedals — instead, it has an autopilot.
What is known
Cybercab is the next stage in the development of Tesla's robotaxi. Unlike the current driverless versions of the Tesla Model Y, which in most cases require the presence of a "safety observer," the new model does not provide the option for manual control at all. This is the primary concern, as Tesla's current level of autonomy does not yet meet the requirements for fully independent transportation.
Along with the launch of the first production vehicle, Musk confirmed the approximate starting price — $30,000. According to him, the company aims to make Cybercab one of the cheapest vehicles to operate. Previously, Musk stated a goal to reduce the total cost of ownership to $0.20 per mile, including charging, insurance, and depreciation.
The first Cybercab at the Tesla Giga Texas Factory. Photo: x.com/Tesla
It is anticipated that the first customers will be ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Eventually, the model is planned to be offered to private buyers. Theoretically, this could change the transportation market, including for people who cannot or do not want to drive themselves.
The Cybercab interior is extremely minimalist: two seats and a central touchscreen.
Despite the start of production, the project raises skepticism. In addition to potential legal disputes over the name Cybercab, the key issue concerns autonomous technologies. The Full Self-Driving system used in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y is formally classified as Level 2 according to SAE levels and requires constant driver monitoring. The technology is still far from Level 5, which implies full autonomy without human intervention.
Even the limited fleet of Tesla robotaxis in Austin, Texas, functions under operator control, and incidents have already occurred in the city at low speeds, despite the presence of observers.
Furthermore, Musk previously warned that the production rate of Cybercab will be extremely slow at the initial stage due to the newness of the product.
Source: Autoblog
