Tesla Cybercab: two seats, no steering wheel, and already operating in Austin

Tesla Cybercab: two seats, no steering wheel, and operating in Austin

Videos circulating on social media show the new Tesla autonomous vehicle operating in downtown Austin. This is the Cybercab, a two-seater car without pedals or a steering wheel, designed for the robotaxi fleet Elon Musk promised. The official presentation has taken place, and images show users entering the vehicle and letting it take over.

A design that divides opinion

The Cybercab antiestéticatures a minimalist design: two seats, removable doors, and a central screen. Some view it as a revolution in urban mobility, while others find it impractical. The absence of a steering wheel and pedals is the most controversial point, raising questions about safety and regulatory acceptance.

Mature technology or marketing?

While Tesla boasts of full autonomy, some point out that other players like Waymo have been operating in Austin for some time, albeit with a different model and human supervision. The question remains whether the technology is ready for serious certification in Europe. Some analyses suggest that the announcement is more hype than reality, and that regulation is still far from allowing these driverless vehicles in most countries.

The impact on the taxi sector

The arrival of the robotaxi directly threatens traditional taxi drivers and ride-share drivers. If the Cybercab becomes widespread, employment in the sector could suffer. The paradox is that while jobs are eliminated, consumers with purchasing power are needed. The question of who will buy these services if employment is destroyed remains unanswered.

The striking fact: although Musk promises an autonomous future, Waymo vehicles have been operating in Austin since last year, but with a more conservative approach. The Cybercab, for now, is a prototype generating more expectation than certainty.