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AUSTIN, Texas – Tesla has begun engineering tests of its first mass-produced Cybercab, an autonomous electric vehicle, at its facility in Austin, the company said on its official social media account. The Cybercab is Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi, developed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing services and designed without a steering wheel or pedals, underscoring the company’s push toward fully autonomous transportation. The start of engineering tests marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s autonomous vehicle program, which the company has pursued for several years as part of CEO Elon Musk’s plan to deliver a dedicated robotaxi model. The Austin facility serves as the primary manufacturing hub for the Cybercab, and Tesla has invested heavily in retooling the plant to support production of the new vehicle. AUSTIN, Texas – Tesla has previously said it aims to begin Cybercab production in 2026, with volume output expected to ramp up later that year, following the completion of necessary factory upgrades in Austin. The launch of engineering tests comes as Tesla works to bring the Cybercab to market after earlier delays and as it positions the vehicle at the center of its strategy for autonomous ride-hailing services. The company faces competition from other autonomous vehicle developers, including Waymo and Cruise, which are also pursuing robotaxi deployment. Analysts expect Tesla to report a 5% rise in vehicle deliveries for the second quarter, driven largely by stronger demand in Europe, although the Cybercab is still in the testing phase.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News