Tesla's Cybercab Launches Paid Rides in Austin with Mixed Reception
Tesla’s steering-wheel-free Cybercab has launched paid rides in a geofenced area of Austin, Texas. The experience offers an early glimpse into the future of autonomous vehicles but is marred by technical issues and user frustrations. During testing, riders reported long wait times—up to one hour for short trips—and problems with butterfly doors that open too quickly. Drop-off locations also caused traffic disruptions in some areas. Despite these hiccups, the Cybercab’s design suggests a shift toward purpose-built autonomous vehicles rather than modified existing models. The self-driving software was described as cautious and indecisive at times, lacking confidence for a vehicle with no manual controls. The service is part of Tesla's broader push into robotaxi services following earlier trials using Model Ys.
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