Image: @dennishegstad
Tesla’s long-rumoured Cybercab is starting to show up more frequently on public roads, and that’s usually a strong signal that something big is getting close. Over the weekend, multiple Tesla Cybercabs were spotted testing in Austin, Texas, suggesting the company is quietly ramping up real-world validation as production edges closer.
One of the clearest sightings came from Matt Barge (@matthewbarge), who shared footage of two Cybercabs undergoing validation testing in downtown Austin. Notably, the prototypes appeared to have steering wheels installed — a reminder that Tesla is still in the testing phase and likely running multiple hardware configurations as it fine-tunes the vehicle ahead of launch. The video even showed the Cybercabs passing Waymo’s would-be rival vehicles that are already operating in the city.
The Cybercab is a major departure from Tesla’s existing lineup. Unlike current Tesla vehicles that can double as ride-hailing cars, the Cybercab is a purpose-built, all-electric autonomous vehicle designed specifically for Tesla’s Robotaxi network. It’s a compact, two-seat vehicle engineered for high utilization, efficiency, and fully driverless operation. When it officially launches, Tesla has said the Cybercab will not have a steering wheel, pedals, or side mirrors, relying entirely on the company’s Full Self-Driving system.
Until recently, Cybercab sightings were rare. The first validation unit was spotted testing on public roads in California back in October, followed by its first appearance on Austin streets earlier this month. A recent leak even showcased what looks like the final pre-production design, fueling speculation that Tesla is locking in hardware ahead of mass manufacturing.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has already confirmed that the Cybercab will enter volume production in April 2026. That timeline lines up with Tesla’s broader push into autonomy, including recent testing of “unsupervised” Full Self-Driving with Robotaxi vehicles in Austin, operating without drivers, safety monitors, or passengers. One of those vehicles even chauffeured Musk around the city with what he described as “perfect driving.”
With Cybercab testing now clearly accelerating — and multiple vehicles appearing in the wild — it’s becoming increasingly clear that Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions are moving from concept to reality. And Austin, once again, appears to be ground zero.
