Musk launches steering-wheel-free taxi service
Tesla has deployed a fleet of steering-wheel-free 'Cybercabs' in Austin, Texas, as part of a push into the autonomous taxi market. The company faces significant challenges, including public skepticism toward driverless technology and stiff competition from established rivals like Waymo.
Why it matters
This launch represents a critical test for Tesla's autonomous driving strategy and its ability to regain market confidence amid declining vehicle sales.
NEW YORK -- Elon Musk sent dozens of self-driving Cybercabs without steering wheels or brake pedals onto the streets of Austin, Texas, on Thursday, betting that Americans will overcome their fears of rides with “no control” and hop inside.
The rollout of the gold-colored Teslas, which give passengers no way to take control in an emergency, comes as the company prepares to launch the service in other cities. Tesla shares have suffered amid a slump in vehicle sales, but they rose more than 5% Thursday on hopes that the futuristic-looking taxis will catch on quickly.
“No steering wheel, no pedals,” Tesla teased on X before the launch. Musk followed with a post showing a giant Cybercab floating above the Austin skyline and later wrote, “A Storm of Cybercabs.”
An invitation-only launch event was expected to be held later Thursday.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment
The unusually muted Tesla Cybercab launch
U.S. auto safety regulator says evaluating Tesla's Cybercab rollout
Tesla is rolling out its driverless Cybercab robotaxi in Austin ahead of launch event
Tesla Cybercab launch in Austin at ACL Live: Live updates
Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercab robotaxi in Austin
"No Steering Wheel, No Pedals": Musk's Taxi Service Bets On Public Trust
Tesla Officially Launches the Cybercab -- 2 Things Investors Need to Know
Tesla’s Make-or-Break Cybercab Had a Quiet Debut
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in