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Tesla Gears Up to Debut Steering‑Wheel‑Less Cybercab in Austin

Staged Austin tests will use Starlink connectivity and a Robotaxi charging hub with federal clearance still lacking.

Overview

  • Multiple reports say Tesla is preparing a staged public rollout in Austin this month that will start with employee rides on public roads and then fold Cybercabs into its Robotaxi network.
  • The Cybercab is a purpose-built two-seat electric vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals and is designed to operate only with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software.
  • Tesla has begun fitting some Cybercabs with Starlink satellite internet for continuous connectivity and filed permits for a Robotaxi Supercharger hub in Austin with an initial 48 stalls and plans that mention future wireless charging.
  • The company has not secured a federal Part 555 exemption that would allow large-scale, steering‑wheel‑less commercial service, and regulators and independent experts continue to question whether Tesla’s FSD is ready for unsupervised operation.
  • Tesla says it needs Cybercab-specific driving data before mass deployment, so the Austin launch is likely to remain a limited, data‑gathering pilot that could shape how quickly the service expands and how local riders experience Robotaxi service.