Tesla's autonomous Cybercab vehicles are now picking up passengers in Austin through the company's dedicated Robotaxi platform. While Tesla's Model Y vehicles have been transporting riders autonomously through the city, the Cybercab line introduces a newer generation of self-driving technology.

Cybercabs are built without a steering wheel or pedals, a feature not found in the Model Y robotaxis. The cabin fits only two occupants and lacks both a rear seat and a back window.

According to transportation engineering professor Kara Kockelman at UT Austin, the safety performance of Tesla's robotaxis and Cybercabs is broadly comparable. Both models incorporate protective engineering measures and demonstrated strong performance in collision assessments. According to Kockelman, travellers seeking extensive safety features may still choose to use a Waymo vehicle.

Waymo's vehicle is equipped with backup sensor arrays, lidar technology, and a greater number of cameras than those found in Tesla models. Although it carries a higher price tag and added complexity, the system demonstrates stronger performance across a range of lighting and weather scenarios.

Without conventional controls such as a steering wheel or pedals, occupants of the Cybercab are entirely dependent on the vehicle's onboard software to manage emergency situations. Under safety regulations, emergency management personnel are required to retain the ability to remotely move or disable autonomous vehicles when those units fail to operate correctly, particularly when responders need to reach incident scenes or assist evacuations. Questions have been raised about whether self-driving vehicles, including those operated by Waymo, impede the ability of emergency services to respond promptly in Austin.

According to Kockelman, affordability stands out as an advantage of the Cybercab for both Tesla and its riders. Production costs for these autonomous units are lower than those of the four- or five-passenger Model Y, and neither a steering wheel nor pedals are fitted. Fares on the Tesla Robotaxi platform are listed at around two dollars for each mile travelled.

By way of reference, owning and running a personal car costs the typical driver roughly one dollar per mile, based on an annual mileage of 10,000 miles. The updated taxis will feature enhanced battery-charging systems as well.

The vehicles are equipped with wireless power transfer technology, positioning over an in-ground charging unit in the parking structure the same way a smartphone draws power from a contactless pad. The technology removes the requirement for manual cable connection or a robotic arm to insert the charging lead.

According to Texas DMV records, 45 Cybercabs had been registered within the state as of September 3. Tesla also hosted a launch event and after-party in the East Austin area, based on a post shared to X by the Tesla Owners Club of Austin. Those interested in riding in a Cybercab can register through Tesla's Robotaxi app.