Production Tesla Cybercab Hits Public Roads Again, But It Still Has A Driver

Back on the Streets

The Tesla Cybercab has been spotted testing once again – this time on public roads in Austin. However, based on images and videos shared by several users on X, the test vehicles have a steering wheel and a human driver, both of which are uncharacteristic of the production-intent version.

The Cybercabs seen on public roads were also equipped with side mirrors, a feature that was notably absent when the EV maker unveiled its dedicated robotaxi during the “We, Robot” event last year. But in terms of overall proportions and design language, the vehicles closely resemble the concept. The Cybercab’s visibly small proportions reflect its two-seat layout—a configuration that may limit passenger capacity but also brings certain advantages.

Two Tesla Cybercabs out testing in Austin, TX again today.

The roads are changing forever. pic.twitter.com/oVSYnkOqQZ

— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) December 28, 2025

Tesla Bets on Minimalism

With a two-seat layout, unnecessary mass is effectively eliminated—dead weight that is often present in larger robotaxis, such as those operated by Waymo, particularly when only a single passenger is onboard. From an EV efficiency standpoint, a lighter vehicle typically translates to improved range and lower energy consumption, both of which align closely with Tesla’s stated goal of keeping Cybercab operations as low-cost as possible.

Vehicle size also affects manufacturing efficiency. A smaller, simpler design enables faster assembly, with Tesla previously stating a goal of producing Cybercabs at a rate of one vehicle every 10 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, the autonomous driving system itself did not appear to be fully exercised during these public-road tests, given the presence of driver controls and human supervision. Still, based on the available sightings, the Cybercabs did not appear to encounter any obvious operational issues while navigating real-world traffic conditions.

For context, Tesla’s current production vehicles, such as the Model 3, operate using SAE Level 2 driver-assistance systems, which require continuous human attention. By contrast, the Cybercab is intended to operate without human intervention, a target that aligns with SAE Level 4 autonomy. That aim places the Cybercab in the same autonomy category as Waymo’s fully driverless vehicles, and it also explains Tesla’s decision to design the robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals in its final form.

Tesla CyberCab in the wild! HAS steering wheel @SawyerMerritt @Tesla_AI #cybercab pic.twitter.com/CaSglJmY8N

— Matt Barge (@matthewbarge) December 27, 2025

A Preview of Tesla’s Robotaxi Roadmap

This Austin sighting follows the Cybercab’s first known appearance on public roads, which occurred in Los Altos, California, last October. Tesla has since also displayed a production-spec version at its Santana Row showroom in San Jose.

Tesla is currently targeting April 2026 for the start of Cybercab production. That timeline, however, still depends on regulatory approval for unsupervised autonomous operation. Without such approval, the appeal of a steering-wheel-less, two-seat robotaxi becomes far less compelling. In the meantime, the company continues to rely on modified Tesla Model Y vehicles for its early robotaxi efforts.

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