TESLA is set to debut its self-driving robotaxi, known as the ‘Cybercab’, in Texas as the electric vehicle maker steps up efforts to compete with autonomous transport companies including Waymo.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk intensified the company’s publicity campaign on Thursday, posting an image of a Cybercab towering over Austin, Texas, with a cloud of dust behind it on his X platform.
First unveiled in October 2024, the gold-coloured Cybercab was designed specifically for driverless taxi services. The vehicle has no steering wheel or pedals and can carry two passengers.
Tesla is expected to unveil the vehicle at an event in Austin, where the company is headquartered. In late August, Tesla released a promotional image on social media promising “exclusive access” to Cybercabs at the event.
The company has provided few details about the launch, although Tesla fans who say they have been invited reported that the event would begin at 4:45 pm local time (2145 GMT).
Tesla began testing its self-driving cars in Austin last year using Model Y SUVs, with its Robotaxi service gradually expanding to other cities in Texas, Florida and California.
However, state regulations require many autonomous vehicles to have a human supervisor or driver available to take control if necessary.
According to FSD Database, which compiled information from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Tesla had registered 314 robotaxis in Texas as of Wednesday, including 45 Cybercabs.
Itay Michaeli, an analyst at TD Securities, expects Tesla to introduce the Cybercab in phases, similar to the rollout of its Robotaxi service.
“It will be a slow launch,” he told AFP, suggesting that Tesla would likely use feedback from early users to guide any wider expansion.
Tesla faces competition from established autonomous vehicle operators such as Waymo, the self-driving subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet, which currently operates in 11 US cities.
Texas has also emerged as a major testing ground for autonomous vehicles because of its favourable regulations. Other companies operating or testing robotaxi services in the state include Waymo, Zoox, Motional and Avride.
The launch marks another step in Tesla’s push to expand autonomous driving technology and establish a foothold in the growing robotaxi market.
