Tesla is moving full steam ahead on its next-generation autonomous vehicle, launching a major hiring spree at Gigafactory Texas while the long-awaited Cybercab has been spotted testing on public roads for the first time.
Near Tesla’s engineering headquarters in Los Altos, California, the two-seat Cybercab was seen this week navigating public streets with a driver behind the wheel, a major step in its development. The sighting confirms that Tesla has entered the real-world testing phase for its upcoming robotaxi, roughly a year after the vehicle was first unveiled.
While it was not captured in the photo, Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt noted there was a person still in the driver’s seat as a safety precaution.
The vehicle’s testing indicates Tesla is now validating its software and hardware systems outside semi-controlled environments like its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, and in Fremont, California, the only two other locations where testing has been conducted.
BREAKING: Tesla’s Cybercab spotted testing on public roads for the first time!
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) October 29, 2025
This was in Los Altos, California, about 10 minutes from Tesla’s Engineering HQ. As would be expected at this stage, a person was in the driver seat.
The future is autonomous pic.twitter.com/cvd6UrnKZo
At the same time, Tesla has quietly begun a major hiring push to prepare for production. The company has posted more than 30 new roles tied directly to Cybercab manufacturing, with positions focusing on drive units, battery packs, assembly lines, and production operations. All of the jobs are located at Giga Texas, where we already knew the Cybercab will be built using Tesla’s advanced “unboxed” manufacturing process.
This approach allows major components—such as the body, chassis, and interior—to be constructed in parallel before final assembly, greatly increasing production speed and efficiency.
The timing of these new job postings aligns closely with Elon Musk’s recent statement that Tesla expects to begin production of the Cybercab in the second quarter of 2026, or sometime between April and June.
Originally introduced as a fully autonomous robotaxi without pedals or a steering wheel, the Cybercab may also be offered in a version that includes traditional controls to make it more accessible to a wider range of customers, according to comments made by Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm this week.
