Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi is taking another clear step toward real-world deployment. Over the weekend, at least two separate Tesla Cybercab vehicles were spotted testing on public roads in Austin, Texas, marking the most extensive public appearance of the autonomous vehicle to date and signaling a widening test program in the city.
Footage and photos shared by local observers show the Cybercabs operating in downtown Austin traffic, rather than remaining confined to private facilities or controlled demonstration areas.
Expanding From One Prototype to a Small Fleet
As we told you last week a single Cybercab was spotted operating on Austin streets. This weekend’s sightings, however, confirmed at least two distinct vehicles testing in the same general area. That progression is notable. Expanding from one to multiple vehicles is typically a key transition point in vehicle development, allowing engineers to collect parallel data, test redundancy, and evaluate consistency across builds.
Steering Wheel Status Still Unclear
Unlike the earlier sighting last week, the Cybercabs spotted over the weekend were definitely equipped with steering wheels, with the footage clearly showing the interior and steering wheel. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the vehicle will be built without a steering wheel or pedals, indicating these vehicles were likely fitted with temporary manual controls for regulatory compliance.
Or, as some fans have suggested, Tesla will sell the vehicle with manual controls.
While we don’t know the final answer to that question, Tesla has already set expectations for when the Cybercab program moves to the next phase. Last month the company said Cybercab production is scheduled to begin in April 2026, placing these Austin road tests firmly within the final stretch of validation and refinement.
Related Stories:
• Tesla Cybercab Crash Testing Accelerates as April 2026 Production Target Nears
• Tesla’s Cybercab spotted testing on public roads in Austin for the first time
• Tesla Puts Production-Ready Cybercab on Display in California
