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Robotaxi & Cybercab: Tesla’s Push for Autonomous Driving

Updated: 7 days ago

Tesla is gearing up for the launch of its own robotaxi service, called “Cybercab,” which is set to begin in June 2025 exclusively in Austin, Texas. This pilot project is considered a milestone for the electric car manufacturer and could mark a turning point for the global autonomous mobility market. The pilot will start with a small fleet of around 10 to 20 vehicles and will be available only to a selected group of users.


Taxischild in urbanem Setting

Robotaxi is not the same as Cybercab. What’s the difference?


Put simply, a robotaxi is a Tesla vehicle capable of fully autonomous driving using the FSD software. The Cybercab, however, is a brand-new Tesla model designed solely for autonomous driving and is currently still in development.


The “Unsupervised FSD” turns any Tesla into a Robotaxi


To begin with, Tesla won’t be using the Cybercab itself, but rather a fleet of modified Model Y vehicles equipped with the latest version of the Unsupervised Full-Self-Driving (FSD) software. This system enables Tesla vehicles to drive without human intervention. The Cybercab, which is specifically designed for robotaxi operations, is scheduled to go into mass production starting in 2026.

Neues Tesla Model Y

Also suitable for private vehicles


In the future, privately owned Tesla vehicles equipped with the necessary FSD hardware will also be able to join the robotaxi network. Tesla owners can make their vehicles available for autonomous rides and generate income, a key element of Tesla’s mobility strategy.


The next step: Tesla Cybercab


Tesla’s Cybercab is an all-electric vehicle built from the ground up for fully autonomous operation. Notably, it completely lacks traditional driving controls like a steering wheel and pedals, underscoring its full autonomy ambition.


Currently, prototypes are being developed to validate the model for mass production. A critical milestone in this process is the so-called “B-sample validation,” which must be completed before production begins.


Design and concept of the Cybercab


The Tesla Cybercab embraces a boldly futuristic design. As a two-door coupe with upward-opening butterfly doors, it radiates technological avant-garde and intentionally omits traditional vehicle instruments. There’s no steering wheel or pedals – a clear commitment to autonomy.


Inside, passengers are welcomed by a spacious, lounge-like environment featuring a large display for entertainment and information. Remarkably, there’s no rear window, which further emphasizes the minimalist concept.


The car is also practical: the trunk offers enough space for two large suitcases and hand luggage. With a planned starting price of under $30,000, Tesla aims to make this vehicle accessible to a broad audience and redefine urban individual mobility.


Unique technology at its core


Tesla’s robotaxi offering is based on the latest generation of its Full-Self-Driving software, enabling vehicles to handle all driving tasks eventually even without human supervision. Recent statements by Elon Musk provide exciting insights:



What makes the FSD software so exciting?



  • 4× more parameters

    The upcoming version, likely FSD V14, will have around four times as many parameters as the current V13, enabling significantly more precise and human-like driving decisions.


  • Context & responsiveness

    With greater computing power and optimized memory, the software uses extended environmental information (“context length”) to better assess traffic situations – such as lane changes or sudden obstacles.


  • Vision-only system

    Tesla remains committed to its camera-based “vision-only” approach – without radar or lidar. Although controversial in the industry, this strategy promises a streamlined, software-centric system with high scalability.


The advanced version with four times more parameters is currently in alpha testing but is expected to be ready for wide deployment in the coming months.



Engineering refinement: The Cybercab as a trailblazer


Tesla also showcases how efficiency and technology can be combined in the Cybercab: with a consumption of about 5 miles per kilowatt-hour, it’s among the most efficient vehicles in its class. This is complemented by inductive charging, enabling autonomous recharging without manual intervention, ideal for continuous robotaxi operation in urban environments.


Regulatory challenges on the road to autonomy


In parallel with technical development, Tesla is already in close contact with regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Europe and still faces several hurdles.


The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently requested Tesla to provide detailed information on the safety architecture and performance of its autonomous vehicles. The request follows previous incidents involving Tesla’s driver-assistance systems, especially under adverse weather conditions.


In Europe, Tesla is working to obtain approval for its autonomous driving system. While an EU-wide permit is still pending, initial progress has been made. For example, Norway has recently granted special permits for tests on public roads, allowing Tesla to trial its FSD system in real-world traffic.


Currently, the use of FSD in Europe is strictly limited to the “FSD Supervised” version, where a driver must remain in control. Fully autonomous use in the “FSD Unsupervised” sense is not yet permitted. A broad approval across Europe remains controversial due to data privacy issues, safety concerns, and technical standards.


In contrast, in China, FSD Supervised is already approved in some regions, giving Tesla’s international autonomous ambitions an extra boost.


Tesla is now at a critical crossroads: The planned launch in Austin and regulatory progress in key markets could determine whether the company becomes a pioneer of a new mobility era or falters due to legal hurdles.


Competitive landscape: Where does Tesla stand?


The autonomous driving market is in flux. General Motors recently paused its robotaxi service Cruise after multiple safety incidents. At Amazon-owned Zoox, the situation remains unclear – there are currently no visible advancements or commercial pilot projects.


Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is currently Tesla’s strongest competitor. The service is already operating in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco, offering fully autonomous rides – albeit only in limited geographic zones and with high operational complexity.


Despite impressive driving capabilities, Waymo faces a critical issue: high hardware costs. Its system relies on a combination of cameras, radar, and especially lidar sensors, which provide highly accurate environmental data but are expensive to purchase and maintain. This makes mass-market scalability a significant challenge. Observers agree: if Waymo manages to reduce hardware costs significantly, it could become a serious mass-market contender.


In contrast, Tesla’s “vision-only” approach is far more scalable. While technologically demanding, it is cost-effective and easier to implement across millions of vehicles.


So while Waymo currently leads in localized applications, Tesla is aiming for a globally scalable solution using its existing infrastructure. The race for the robotaxi future remains open – with vastly different strategies.


Public image and discourse on autonomous driving


Tesla recently released a video showing a Model 3 autonomously navigating the notoriously chaotic roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The FSD software handled the complex traffic situation without human intervention, an impressive technological feat. You can find the official video of the test drive here.


However, criticism followed: many experts argue that isolated examples like this don’t offer statistically meaningful proof of system safety. Nevertheless, the video showcases Tesla’s vision: full autonomy, even in the most challenging traffic.


Business strategy and outlook


Elon Musk has a bold goal: to replace private car ownership with a flexible, autonomous ride-hailing service. Through an app, users will be able to book vehicles that belong either to Tesla’s fleet or to private owners.


The integration of privately owned vehicles is central to Tesla’s vision. Owners of Teslas equipped with FSD will be able to offer their cars for autonomous rides during idle times and earn money. It’s a decentralized, self-organizing mobility network that combines scalability with individual flexibility.

Fahrgast in autonomem Taxi

Veltyx meets FSD – A look into the future


Once FSD – whether supervised or unsupervised – is approved in Germany, Veltyx will offer vehicles equipped with this technology. Customers will be able to test and experience autonomous driving for themselves.


Veltyx aims to let its customers experience the future of mobility first-hand – as soon as the legal framework is in place. Stay tuned.

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Tesla Model 3 mit geöffneter Fahrertür, die das Innere des Fahrzeuges zeigt.

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