Tesla Cybercab Spotted Driving on Public Streets for the First Time

Tesla’s long-running robotaxi ambition has taken a visible step forward, with its purpose-built Cybercab now spotted driving on public roads in the United States for the first time.

shared on social media show a gold-coloured Cybercab exiting an underground car park in Austin, Texas, wearing Texas manufacturer plates that strongly suggest it is a test vehicle rather than a showpiece. The sighting is significant not because of where it was seen, but because it was seen at all, operating among everyday traffic rather than on closed sets or Tesla-owned facilities.

It remains unclear whether the vehicle was operating fully autonomously or carrying an onboard operator for monitoring and data collection. What is clear is that Tesla has moved beyond studio demonstrations and test tracks, putting its steering wheel free, pedal free robotaxi into a live urban Tesla Cybercab Spotted Driving on Public Streets for the First Timefor the first time.

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Design Evolution And Cost Focus

The Cybercab was first unveiled at Tesla’s We, Robot event in 2024, where it was presented as a radical rethink of urban transport rather than a modified passenger car. Since then, multiple sightings have revealed subtle but telling design changes aimed at simplifying production and reducing costs.

Recent versions feature frameless windows similar to the Model 3 and Model Y, along with a pared-back interior that mirrors Tesla’s current minimalist design language. Ambient lighting and dashboard refinements have also appeared, but the core philosophy remains unchanged.

Tesla engineers have previously indicated the Cybercab is designed with roughly half the parts of a Model 3, a move intended to accelerate manufacturing and keep pricing around the A$45,000 mark. That cost advantage could prove critical as Tesla looks to scale autonomous ride services faster than rivals relying on heavily modified, sensor laden vehicles.

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Production Timeline And Robotaxi Plans

Tesla has already shared images of a pilot Cybercab production line, confirming plans to begin manufacturing in Austin from April 2026. Initial volumes are expected to be modest, but the intent is clear. This is not a concept vehicle but a production model built specifically for autonomy.

Austin is already home to Tesla’s existing robotaxi operations, which currently rely on Model Y vehicles. The Cybercab is expected to join that fleet once production ramps up, offering a more efficient and purpose-built platform for autonomous ride services.

For Australian readers, the sighting matters less for immediate availability and more for what it signals. Tesla is now testing a fully autonomous vehicle in public conditions, bringing the idea of steering wheel free transport closer to commercial reality than ever before.