- Cybercab will make electric transport 'affordable and fully autonomous' by 2026
Tesla has unveiled its newest and most advanced 'car' yet.
But the Tesla Cybercab isn't a car for you to drive in the normal sense of the word, it's an autonomous taxi that will ferry people around and drive people into the future.
During the UK unveiling this week, Tesla said the Cybercab will make electric transport 'democratised, affordable and fully autonomous'.
Spending until 8 December in Westfield London, the Cybercab will be on tour in Europe before going into production in 2026.
Specific details are, in classic Tesla traiditonl, not yet ironed out but we're told that the US is the first destination the Cybercab is set to be used in public spaces.
Autonomous taxi trials are already underway – including the famous Waymo self-driving cars in San Francisco.
Tesla Cybercab isn't a car for you to drive in the normal sense of the word, it's an autonomous taxi that will ferry people around and drive people into the future. During the UK unveiling, Tesla said the Cybercab will make electric transport 'democratised, affordable and fully autonomous'
The Cybercab is 'a fully autonomous robotaxi designed to offer premium, individualised point-to-point electric mobility for everyone'.
The two-seater taxi makes Tesla and ride-hailing 'more accessible and more affordable' because making transport 'accessible to all is essential for the future' Tesla says.
The Cybercab will have smart summon and auto park, and 'you will be able to rent it for as long as you need – a quick trip or a whole day' the Elon-Musk brand told press at the unveiling.
Spending until 8 December in Westfield London, the Cybercab will be on tour in Europe before going into production in 2026
Inside it's typical Tesla-minimalism, with just two seats and a large landscape touchscreen. Being fully autonomous there are no pedals and no steering wheel
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Back when Mr Musk first revealed the Cybercab at the 'We, Robot' event in Los Angeles on 10 October - where the Robovan and the Optimus humanoid robot (which Kim Kardashian recently modelled with to much backlash) were also seen for the first time - he said you'd be able to buy one for yourself in the US from 2026.
The Cybercab is a golden, ultra sleek, and - arguably - more stylish version of the Model 3.
It's squared off and more angular, with scissor doors and just a single light bar front and back.
Inside it's typical Tesla-minimalism, with just two seats and a large landscape touchscreen.
Being fully autonomous there are no pedals and no steering wheel in sight.
Wireless charging is a key feature.
Tesla previously submitted a patent for wireless charging pads in September - although how this will operate is unknown, and you'll hail the Cybercab via the Tesla app.
Bike-friendly, the taxi will be able to hold two carry-on bags and two checked-bags.
The Cybercab is a golden, ultra sleek, and - arguably - more stylish version of the Model 3
It's squared off and more angular, with scissor doors and just a single light bar front and back
Bike-friendly, the taxi will be able to hold two carry-on bags and two check-in bags
Many of the Cybercab's autonomous safety features are already in the Model 3 and Model Y, which means that owners of these EVs will be able to rent their cars out because the self-driving tech will be made available via over-the-air updates.
Whether the 2026 timeline for the US becomes reality remains to be seen, as in 2019 Musk said that there would be one million robotaxis on the road by 2020.
However it will certainly roll out in America before it does here because our autonomous driving legislation is so much further behind, so you'll have to hop across the pond to hail a Cybercab first.
When will autonomous vehicles come to our roads?
The autonomous vehicle market is growing rapidly.
Globally, it's already valued at $54billion and predicted to grow tenfold in the next seven years, according to Allied Market Research.
There are six levels of autonomy to driver-assisted technology - a combination of highly complex artificial intelligence (AI) software, LiDar and RADAR sensing technology.
Currently, in Britain we have one driverless system that meets level 2 autonomy - Ford's BlueCruise feature equipped in the Mach-E electric SUV.
Waymo self-driving cars are already operating in San Francisco and Phoenix and will soon be landing in Los Angeles and Austin
There are six levels vehicle automation. In the UK, Ford's BlueCruise is the only designated Level 2 system, meaning drivers can take their hands off the wheel while it's activated
However, level 4 self-driving cars are already operating in the US.
Alphabet-owned ride hailing firm Waymo has driverless cars you hail via an app in San Francisco and Phoenix (with Los Angeles and Austin coming soon).
At the end of 2023, Transport Secretary Mark Harper told BBC Radio 4's Today programme to expect self-driving cars 'by as early as 2026.'
The King's Speech in November 2023 also included the government's new Automated Vehicles Bill centred around safety and innovation, followed the same month by the announced government investment of £150million for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM), to be matched by a further £150m from industry.
AVs could be arriving on these shores in the not too distant future.
