Image: Tesla
Tesla appears to be quietly expanding Cybercab testing beyond its usual hotbeds, with a new sighting suggesting the autonomous vehicle has now made its way to Chicago.
On Monday, Tesla’s official Robotaxi account on X posted a photo of a Cybercab driving past Wrigley Field, simply captioned “Da cab.” While short on words, the image speaks volumes, marking what looks to be the first public confirmation that Tesla is testing the Cybercab in Illinois. The sighting was quickly amplified by Tesla watchers, who noted that this would make Chicago the latest location where Cybercab validation vehicles are now operating.
The Cybercab is Tesla’s upcoming two-seat, all-electric autonomous vehicle designed specifically for the company’s Robotaxi network. Unlike traditional Teslas, it’s purpose-built for ride-hailing, with the company banking on it to help scale the Robotaxi service rapidly.
Until recently, Cybercab sightings had been few and far between. The first validation unit was spotted on public roads in California back in October, followed by the vehicle’s first appearance on Austin streets last month. Over the past couple of weeks, however, Cybercab testing has accelerated significantly, with at least eight units actively operating across Austin and the Bay Area — and now, seemingly, a ninth in Chicago.
This broader geographic testing suggests Tesla is moving into a more advanced phase of validation ahead of volume production, which Elon Musk has said is on track to begin in April. The fact that Cybercabs are now being seen not just on city streets but also on highways further suggests that Tesla is stress-testing the vehicle in diverse traffic and weather conditions.
Notably, when the Cybercab begins rolling off the production line, it’s expected to ship without a steering wheel, pedals, or even side mirrors. Instead, the vehicle will rely entirely on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system. Current test vehicles are still equipped with traditional controls, but Tesla has recently hinted that those components are only temporary.
With Cybercab testing now stretching into another state and a major U.S. city, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Tesla is closing in on its long-promised autonomous ride-hailing future.
