Tesla Cybercab Returns to Public Roads as Testing Continues

Tesla’s Cybercab is back on public roads in Austin with a driver onboard. Reported by Rex Sanchez, the tests highlight regulatory limits. Learn what’s next.

Tesla has once again brought the Cybercab onto public roads, this time in Austin. Two production-intent vehicles were spotted driving in real-world traffic, but in a configuration that still raises questions: both cars were equipped with a steering wheel, side mirrors, and a human driver behind the wheel. For a vehicle designed as a fully autonomous robotaxi with no manual controls, the sight underscores how transitional this phase remains.

Visually, the Cybercabs closely match the concept Tesla previously unveiled. The compact proportions and minimalist design reflect the car’s two-seat layout, a deliberate choice aimed at reducing weight, improving efficiency, and lowering manufacturing costs. Tesla has repeatedly argued that eliminating unnecessary mass is key to making robotaxi operations economically viable, especially when most trips involve a single passenger.

Autonomy, however, remains the central unresolved element. During the Austin tests, the Cybercab’s full self-driving capability was clearly not deployed, with human supervision still in place. This stands in contrast to Tesla’s stated goal of achieving SAE Level 4 autonomy, where the vehicle would operate without human input within defined conditions, placing it in the same category as fully driverless services already run by competitors like Waymo.

The continued presence of a driver appears to be driven less by technical limitations and more by regulation. In Texas, updated rules that took effect in late 2025 require specific authorization for the commercial operation of fully autonomous vehicles. At the federal level, vehicles without steering wheels or pedals must also navigate exemptions from established safety standards. Until those approvals are secured, testing with conventional controls remains the most straightforward legal pathway.

Tesla is still targeting April 2026 for the start of Cybercab production, positioning the model as a cornerstone of its future robotaxi strategy. In the meantime, the company continues to rely on modified Model Y vehicles for early autonomous ride-hailing efforts, which face fewer regulatory hurdles.

The Cybercab’s return to public roads offers a glimpse of how close Tesla is to its vision—and how much still depends on regulatory clearance. The design may already be near production-ready, but the final step toward a steering-wheel-free robotaxi remains firmly in the hands of lawmakers and transport authorities.