Tesla begins testing Cybercab without pedals or steering wheel in Austin

Tesla has begun testing a production version of its Cybercab that has two seats, but no steering wheel or pedals, in Austin, Texas. Currently, the test is being conducted using a safety monitor in the right passenger seat, according to a video to publish On X, the social media platform owned by electric car maker CEO Elon Musk.

This test occurs approximately two years after Tesla Design reveal From Cybercab, which is supposed to be a fully autonomous robotaxi that can be hailed through the Tesla app. Nearly a year ago, Tesla began testing its Tesla Robotaxi service in Austin with Model Y SUVs that, at times, use safety monitoring devices.

Tesla has been testing early versions of the Cybercab, equipped with a steering wheel and pedals, in a number of cities across the United States in recent weeks. It has also parked hundreds of vehicles in parking lots in some of those cities, sparking speculation that the company will finally launch a truly expanded robotaxi network.

One of the obstacles to realizing this idea is likely to be removed. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unveiled a proposal that would not mandate the use of brake pedals in “vehicles designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems.” The proposal is still in the public comment period, but is expected to be implemented later this year.

Musk and other Tesla executives have argued that they will be able to overtake Waymo, the current robotics leader, for a number of reasons. Among these reasons is that Tesla builds cars and driving software, which is expected to give it much greater control over costs than Waymo, which relies on partnerships with brands such as Jaguar and Zeekr for vehicles. Tesla is also trying to make the Cybercab fully autonomous using only cameras, while Waymo uses a more complex array of sensors, including sensors and radar.

Tesla and Musk have spent years promising that the company would be able to make a fully self-driving car, but it has yet to deploy one on a large scale. The closest I’ve come is Austin’s robo-taxi service, which saw its size wax and wane the year it started. Some of these vehicles were involved in a number of minor accidents, at least two of them They were caused by remote operators.

Of course, Waymo’s robotics has also had minor accidents, and as this company has expanded, it has encountered a number of problems and emergencies, some of which it is still working on. The robot of the company owned by Alphabet Currently you can’t take highways Because they were struggling to maneuver around construction zones, which led to the recall (which wasn’t designed to fix the problem, just avoid freeways). Waymo has vehicles too Struggle to avoid flooded areas During periods of heavy rain, resulting in another recall. And they had problems Drive legally around school buses.

Tesla has had its own problems growing up with its Austin Robotaxi network, but some of it has flown under the radar simply because it uses very slightly modified versions of its Model Y consumer SUV. Waymo’s sensor-laden I-Pace SUVs (and bright blue Zeekr trucks, which are starting to hit the roads now) are much easier to detect when they’re doing something wrong.

The introduction of the gold-colored two-seat e-taxis will further highlight Tesla’s endeavors to develop a nationwide robotaxi network, making its struggles and successes more visible.