Abstract:
Just now, Tesla released the mass-produced version of Cybercab, completely removing the steering wheel, pedals, and rearview mirrors, and relying on FSD to achieve fully autonomous driving. Tesla executives announced on-site that
Cybercab has officially joined the Robotaxi fleet and is open to the public for test rides, with the goal of large-scale operation as soon as possible.
According to the riding experience shared by on-site guests after the meeting, some people recognized Tesla Cybercab's driverless capabilities, which can quickly identify several children crossing the road ahead and actively give way.
▲X netizen shared that Cybercab can yield to children crossing the road
Some people agree that Cybercab has enough space to ride and its feet can swing freely.
▲X netizen shared that Cybercab has enough space
Some people think that Cybercab’s APP has more complete functions, allowing tipping and rating, just like in the online ride-hailing program.
▲X netizens can give tips and ratings when sharing Cybercab
However, some people said that Cybercab was suspected of "overturning".
▲X netizen shared that Cybercab is suspected of side-by-side parking and causing dissatisfaction with surrounding vehicles
In this netizen’s account, Cybercab gave users 7 minutes to get on the bus. The car and surrounding vehicles were parked side by side in the middle of the road, causing surrounding gasoline vehicle drivers to honk their horns wildly.
▲X netizens shared pictures of users riding Cybercab
On the whole, this press conference was extremely special and mysterious. There was no live broadcast, and participants were not allowed to share updates in real time. According to the video posted by the participants after the meeting, Musk did not appear on the stage. No new prices were announced at the meeting, and personal car purchase channels were not opened. This means that the officials are very cautious, and Cybercab still has a long way to go before it can truly change the travel of global users.
▲Cybercab press conference site
However, for Tesla, the importance of Cybercab is self-evident.
Elon Musk once pointed out that the operating cost of Tesla Cybercab is lower than that of ordinary online car-hailing, only 20 cents (approximately RMB 1.34) per mile (approximately 1.61 kilometers), plus taxes and other costs, the comprehensive cost per mile is about 30-40 cents (approximately 1.61 kilometers per person) RMB 2.02-2.69 yuan), the comprehensive cost is about 1.26-1.67 yuan/km based on simple conversion, and the price is less than 30,000 US dollars (approximately RMB 201,600 yuan). In the future, after being connected to the fleet, it can realize all-weather autonomous operation - automatically receive orders, find charging stations by itself, and continuously generate revenue.
Just today, Tesla Asia’s official account announced that Cybercab will be unveiled in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai this month, including simultaneous exhibitions in Beijing and Shanghai on September 18.
▲Cybercab will make its first public appearance in China
This event is intended to showcase its product design and technical concepts and does not involve Cybercab’s sales in the Chinese market or the commercial operation arrangements for driverless online ride-hailing.
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No live broadcast, need to sign a confidentiality agreement
Tesla unmanned rental is officially released
This Tesla Cybercab press conference is quite mysterious. None of the major online official accounts have opened live broadcasts, and only a small number of people have been invited to participate in the press conference. Many participating celebrities on the X platform said that they were required to sign a confidentiality agreement and not to publish any content during the event.
▲X netizen revealed that Tesla requires attendees to keep confidentiality during the event
Although Tesla executives previously announced the time of the press conference, within an hour after the event started, the outside world was still unable to obtain any on-site information.
▲Tesla officially releases a series of Cybercab introduction videos
Subsequently, Tesla released Tesla's "Cybercab Passenger Guide", application update instructions, fleet intention form and a series of product introduction videos. After some sorting, Chestuff compiled the key information of Cybercab.
▲Musk said we are entering a golden age of transportation
Specifically, the appearance of Cybercab is very recognizable, with a golden body, a width of 1754 mm (approximately 1.75 meters), and a height of only 1408 mm (approximately 1.41 meters), which makes it look lower than an ordinary car (approximately 1.45-1.5 meters).
▲Tesla Cybercab internal and external parameter information
This low-lying shape is expected to bring better wind resistance performance and high-speed stability, and also make the visual effect of the vehicle more futuristic.
▲Tesla Cybercab appearance
In addition, the car's ground clearance is 144 mm, and the butterfly door design that rotates upward provides ample operating space for passengers to get in and out of the car.
▲Tesla Cybercab appearance
Furthermore, Tesla Cybercab does not have a front trunk, and the hood cannot be opened. The trunk volume is about 572 liters, and the maximum load capacity is 100 kilograms. According to the official demonstration, the trunk is enough to accommodate two pieces of checked luggage and two pieces of carry-on luggage, meeting daily travel needs such as airport transfers.
▲Tesla Cybercab shows the internal structure of the hood on site
In terms of interior, the car completely subverts the interior layout of traditional cars. The configuration is very simple, with only two seats, no steering wheel, no accelerator pedal, no brake pedal, and no glovebox. Instead, it has a 22-inch central touch screen and physical emergency parking button.
▲Tesla Cybercab central control screen
The screen will display the word Cybercab after it is turned on, and can also display the conditions around the vehicle in real time.
It should be noted that Tesla officials specifically emphasize that the user’s seat backrest inclination angle must be less than 35 degrees. Exceeding this angle may increase the risk of injury.
It is worth mentioning that Cybercab has also made great efforts in barrier-free design: the seat height is flush with a standard wheelchair, making it easier for users with limited mobility to complete a smooth transfer from wheelchair to seat.
▲Tesla Cybercab is convenient for visually impaired users to get on and off the vehicle
Key physical buttons such as door switches and emergency buttons are marked with Braille to facilitate independent operation by the visually impaired.
▲Cybercab has Braille logos on many buttons
Cybercab is also equipped with 9 cameras, among which the inward-facing camera will check the cleanliness of the vehicle and whether the user has lost items.
According to public information, Cybercab uses Unboxed modular production technology, a fully wire-controlled chassis with a 48V low-voltage architecture, a single motor front drive, and a 48-degree battery pack. The vehicle weighs 1,412 kg and has an EPA range of approximately 472 kilometers.
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The entire process can be operated manually through the APP
No riding under 13 years old
For users, the entire travel process can be completed through the Robotaxi mobile application.
After opening the App, enter the destination within the service range, and the system will display the estimated fare and waiting time. The vehicle will arrive automatically after confirming the order.
During the pick-up process, the Cybercab rear light strip lights up in red, and the front RGB light strip displays the exclusive color assigned to the user by the App.
▲The RGB light strip on the front face of the vehicle will display the exclusive color assigned to the user by the App
At the same time, the color will also be displayed simultaneously on the App interface to facilitate users to quickly identify their car among multiple vehicles.
▲Tesla Robotaxi App will display the exclusive color of the vehicle the user is riding in
The App also provides flashing lights and whistle functions to assist identification. Users can also further confirm the identity of the vehicle by checking the license plate number.
The hazard lights will flash automatically after the vehicle is parked, and the nearest door will be automatically opened when the caller's mobile phone is detected. If an obstacle is detected, the door will not be forcibly opened. The user can press and hold the "Hold to Open" icon on the touch screen to force it to open. Users can put their luggage in the trunk before getting on the bus, and then choose any seat to sit in.
The door will automatically close after the user fastens the seat belt. The user can also operate it manually through the touch screen. After all passengers are seated correctly and the door and trunk are completely closed, click "Start Ride" on the screen to set off.
During the journey, the touch screen displays the travel route and estimated time of arrival in real time. Passengers can freely adjust the air conditioning temperature, or use built-in entertainment applications such as cinema, music and games. The vehicle is equipped with V5 Starlink hardware to achieve comprehensive interconnection.
▲Cybercab vehicle status during driving
If you need to change the destination, you can operate it through the mobile app; if you need to pull over or ask for help, just click "Pull Over" or "Support".
Users must remain seated and fasten their seat belts throughout the ride. Tesla officials specifically mentioned that minors under the age of 13 are currently prohibited from riding, and there is no ISOFIX/LATCH interface (a dedicated anchor system for car child safety seats) in the car. Seat belts can only be used to secure the safety seat.
After arriving at the destination, the vehicle automatically shifts into park and flashes the hazard lights. Passengers can open the door by touching the unlock icon in the middle of the screen or gently pulling on the door handle. If an obstacle is detected, the icon will change to "Hold to Open", and a long press can force the door to open.
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Two/four-seater taxi options
Open the door to Robotaxi
It is worth noting that Tesla has also updated its Robotaxi application to provide two models, allowing users to choose freely according to their travel needs.
The updated Robotaxi App interface shows two options side by side: the two-seat Cybercab and the four-seat Model Y.
▲Tesla Robotaxi App offers two models to choose from
Most single or two-person users can choose to match the Cybercab to achieve lower costs and higher operational efficiency; users with three or more people or who need more space can reserve a Model Y Robotaxi that still retains the steering wheel and pedals.
With the elimination of the steering wheel, the movement of the vehicle during maintenance or special scenarios has become an engineering problem.
Tesla also provides a solution for this. Maintenance personnel or emergency personnel can long press the direction button on the central touch screen to make the vehicle move slowly at a low speed to complete operations such as charging position adjustment or maintenance shifting.
This car was originally designed for FSD fully autonomous driving. It does not require a human driver to carry passengers on a daily basis. However, when it comes to special scenarios such as maintenance, car moving, and emergencies, Tesla provides backup solutions without destroying the pure design concept of Cybercab's "completely steering wheelless".
On the eve of the launch, Tesla began to collect public interest in purchasing the Cybercab fleet and solicit business partners interested in purchasing the Cybercab fleet or providing infrastructure for its network.
▲Tesla Cybercab
Applicants need to provide the company name and deployment area, and can choose cooperation categories such as vehicle procurement, mobile hubs and infrastructure, and event collaboration.
This shows that Tesla's expectations for Cybercab go far beyond its own fleet - it hopes to build a scalable Robotaxi network, and to achieve this goal, Tesla is willing to rely on the power of third parties.
Currently, Tesla Cybercab’s manned service is only open in a limited area in Austin, Texas, USA. According to Musk’s estimation, by the end of 2026, the service will cover a quarter to half of the United States.
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Conclusion: Robotaxi, Tesla’s next core growth point
In Tesla's strategy, Robotaxi is regarded as Tesla's next core growth point, and Cybercab is a key tool for Tesla to leverage this huge market. It means bringing more sustainable service income to Tesla.
Compared with the products of self-driving taxi competitors, Cybercab’s core advantage lies in the ultimate cost control brought about by its purely visual solution, which is expected to reshape the market competition landscape.
In addition, Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco pointed out that the launch of Cybercab will be more important than any previous product demonstration, and the business accounts for $120 (approximately RMB 806) of Tesla’s $400 (approximately RMB 2,687) target price.
It can be said that the success or failure of Cybercab determines the capital market’s confidence in Tesla’s future to a large extent.
It is still unknown when Cybercab will be legally launched on the road and officially commercialized in more areas.
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