Tesla $TSLA ( ▼ 0.23% ) is quietly moving forward on its next autonomy bet, even as its self-imposed deadline to remove safety drivers from Austin robotaxis has come and gone. Safety drivers are still very much in the front seat, but the company is now testing more of its purpose-built Cybercabs on public roads.
Cybercabs hit the streets
According to sightings compiled by Robotaxi Tracker, Tesla is currently testing at least seven Cybercabs across Austin and the Bay Area. Two were spotted in Austin late last year, and five more have appeared since the start of 2026, including the first confirmed sightings in California.
The Cybercab is Tesla’s gold, two-seat vehicle designed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing. It looks more concept car than production model, signaling Tesla’s longer-term vision for a driverless fleet rather than a near-term consumer vehicle.
Production is coming, but autonomy still isn’t here
Elon Musk has said Cybercab production is slated to begin in April, though a year-end Tesla recap video hinted that production may already be underway. Musk later clarified that Tesla is currently testing the Cybercab production system, not mass-producing finished vehicles.
Despite the futuristic design, Cybercabs are still being tested with safety drivers. Production versions are also expected to include steering wheels, mirrors, and pedals, suggesting Tesla is still a distance away from fully unsupervised operation.
For now, Cybercab testing shows Tesla is pressing ahead on autonomy hardware, even as its broader robotaxi ambitions remain very much a work in progress.