Tesla is preparing to launch its Cybercab autonomous vehicle for public use in Austin, Texas, as early as this month, according to a report from The Information on Monday. The rollout is expected to begin with rides for employees on public roads before expanding to a broader robotaxi service.
The Cybercab is a purpose-built autonomous vehicle designed without traditional controls such as pedals or a steering wheel. Tesla intends to use the vehicle as the foundation for its planned autonomous ride-hailing service. The company began testing production versions of the vehicle on public roads in June.
According to the report, Tesla has recently conducted test drives, employee rides on private roads, and training sessions with local first responders in preparation for the launch. Production of the Cybercab is expected to increase in volume later this year. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the report.
For residents and commuters in Austin, the launch means the introduction of vehicles without steering wheels or pedals onto public streets. Individuals using the service would notice the absence of a human driver and traditional manual controls during their commute. The rollout follows June testing of production versions, marking a shift from experimental phases to active ride-hailing operations.
The success of the Austin rollout may set a precedent for how autonomous ride-hailing services are integrated into urban environments and how they interact with local emergency services. The reported plan to ramp up production later this year suggests the company intends to scale this model beyond the initial Texas location. The public launch in Austin is scheduled to begin "as soon as this month," with employee rides followed a few days later by the official robotaxi service.