Tesla Cybercab robotaxi launch event set for September 3

Tesla is promoting a September 3 event in Austin, Texas, for its Cybercab robotaxi, saying it is offering “exclusive access” through a sweepstakes for people who could attend.

The electric vehicle maker said on its website that it was “celebrating the launch” of the Cybercab robotaxi at the Austin event. Tesla is headquartered in the city.

The gold-coloured Cybercab was first shown in October 2024. It is designed to carry two passengers and is Tesla’s first car without a steering wheel or pedals. At that unveiling, Elon Musk said Tesla planned to begin production before 2027 and sell the vehicles to private buyers for under $30,000.

The Information reported this week that Tesla staffers had been told the rollout would start with Cybercab rides for employees on public roads, before the vehicle is added to Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin.

Tesla previously debuted self-driving rides in Austin using Model Y SUVs, with its Robotaxi service later expanding to several other cities in Texas, Florida and California. State laws require many of the vehicles to have a human supervisor or driver ready to take control if needed.

Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving vehicle subsidiary, offers services in 11 US cities.