GoKawiil
Tech News
Tesla teased its Cybercab robotaxi on X, using the phrase 'no steering wheel, no pedals' ahead of a Thursday event in Austin where it plans to reveal more details. Videos circulated showing the two-seat, butterfly-door vehicles driving on public roads without a driver, while Elon Musk hinted at a broader rollout calling it 'a storm of Cybercabs.'
Recent robotics showcases—from Tesla's Optimus serving drinks to Unitree robots performing synchronized martial arts and setting a sub-9-second 100-meter sprint record—have fueled public fears that humanoid robots will soon replace human workers. But researchers interviewed say these choreographed demonstrations are misleading indicators of real-world capability, since flashy acrobatics don't translate into the dexterity, adaptability, and reliability needed for everyday labor tasks.
Tesla plans to formally introduce its steering-wheel-free Cybercab at an Austin event, adding 51 of the vehicles to its Texas ride-hail fleet alongside 263 Model Ys. The vehicle debuted as a prototype in 2024, and Tesla's driverless pilot has since expanded from Austin to parts of Texas and Florida, with permits pending in Arizona and Nevada.
Tesla has started offering public rides in its steering-wheel-free Cybercab as part of its Austin robotaxi service, nearly two years after the vehicle was first unveiled. The vehicle relies on a modified version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, monitored remotely, rather than the sensor suites—like lidar—used by competitors.
Waymo published a blog post and gave interviews arguing that fully autonomous driving requires multiple sensor types, not just cameras and end-to-end AI, in an implicit critique of Tesla's approach. The move came a week before Tesla's planned September 3 event to unveil its Cybercab robotaxi, and coincided with Waymo announcing three new markets for its own service. The comments sparked a heated weekend debate on social media between Waymo's spokesperson and Tesla-aligned analysts.
Waymo has opened its self-driving ride service to the public in three new cities, bringing its commercial footprint to 14 U.S. metros. The rollout, which will expand gradually, pushes Waymo's fleet of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and its new Ojai minivan past 4,000 cars.