A Tesla Cybercab passenger in Austin reported a 70-minute travel time for a route that typically takes 10 minutes. The robotaxi avoided highways and at-grade railroad crossings, forcing a detour through East Austin.
The trip cost $20. Tesla's application provides a price estimate at booking but does not display an estimated travel time. Passengers can terminate rides at any point.
Tesla's autonomous fleet currently operates exclusively on surface streets within a geofence. The software limitations apply to both the new steering-wheel-free Cybercab and Model Y robotaxis.
Public rides in Austin began on September 3. On the same day, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an audit regarding Tesla's self-certification of vehicles lacking steering wheels and pedals.
Recent reports indicate that Tesla's fleet experiences crashes approximately once every 57,000 miles. Additionally, a Tesla robotaxi in Austin recently collided with a set of bollards.
