Tesla expands Cybercab robotaxi trials amid rising competition

The global race for autonomous robotaxis is intensifying as Tesla expands testing of its Cybercab and new competitors emerge. Tesla has begun street trials of the Cybercab in New York City, following deployments in Austin and Florida. The two-seater vehicle is designed without a steering wheel, pedals, or traditional cockpit controls, relying on a camera-based Full Self-Driving system and wireless inductive charging. While designed for autonomy, some users have discovered a virtual joystick interface on the central touchscreen, likely intended for technical assistance or repositioning the vehicle.

In the corporate sector, Travis Kalanick’s startup, Atoms, has secured $1.7 billion in funding and is reportedly preparing to enter the robotaxi market. Atoms has reportedly engaged in discussions with Uber regarding technology cooperation and has recruited former Waymo co-founder Anthony Levandowski to lead its autonomous development.

Regulatory and competitive pressures remain high. The NHTSA has opened an investigation into how Tesla certified a vehicle lacking traditional safety elements like mirrors and pedals. Meanwhile, companies like Waymo continue to maintain a lead in autonomous ride mileage, and regional players such as WeRide and Baidu are actively testing or deploying right-hand drive robotaxi solutions in markets like Hong Kong.