Tesla's Cybercab completed its first month in Austin without any significant reported safety incidents or collisions, according to CNBC. The debut was nonetheless described as rocky, with first responders raising concerns about the vehicle's lack of manual driving controls and its unique doors. Tesla is now preparing to expand the service to San Antonio, Dallas, and other cities, as well as to Nevada and Florida.
Austin Fire Captain Matt McElearney told CNBC that Tesla provided detailed emergency guidelines and comprehensive instruction, but that is not enough. He wants regulation requiring robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals to give public safety representatives a way to move, steer, or shut down an autonomous vehicle in both emergent and non-emergent events. He also called for a dynamic certification process, since AV performance can change with software bugs or updates. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
Public sentiment is another hurdle. Surveys cited by CNBC found that 50% of U.S. respondents would not feel comfortable riding in a robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, and 70% wanted Tesla to pause rides after hearing about the NHTSA investigation into the Cybercab. Musk said in January that robotaxis would be "very, very widespread" in the U.S. by the end of 2026, but that has not happened, and Tesla still lacks permits to run driverless vehicles on California public roads.
Analysts at Cantor emphasized the opportunity, noting that management expects the Cybercab to eventually become the largest volume vehicle in Tesla's lineup. But the expansion will test whether Tesla can address the regulatory and safety concerns raised during its first month in Austin.