Tesla has officially launched paid rides in Austin, Texas, within a geofenced area of approximately 288 square miles. The service uses the Cybercab, a purpose-built autonomous vehicle that lacks a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors. Currently, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has 45 Cybercabs registered in the state.
The vehicle's interior features a minimalist gray fabric design with a single row of two seats and a large center touchscreen. This screen serves as a command center for trip management and an entertainment hub, supporting integration with Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, and a built-in Arcade app. Passengers can open the butterfly-style doors via a mobile app.
User experience varies, with wait times ranging from 25 to 45 minutes for trips costing between $15 and $21. Some riders have reported issues with the butterfly doors opening too quickly, and the software has been noted for indecisive lane changes and inappropriate drop-off locations, sometimes stopping in the middle of busy roads.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an Audit Query to examine how Tesla self-certified the vehicle's compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Unlike competitors such as Zoox, Tesla launched the rollout without seeking a formal exemption for the lack of conventional controls.