Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi Struggles With Caution, AC in First Week of Public Ops

Five days after Tesla opened its steerer-wheel-free Cybercab to the public in Austin, Texas, user reviews are painting a picture of a vehicle that still has growing pains. Launched on September 4, the Cybercab became the first fully driverless ride-hail car to enter regular service — but early adopters have flagged everything from tentative turns to sluggish climate control.

Among the most common complaints, several riders posted videos showing the Cybercab hesitating at stop signs before making turns, sometimes waiting so long that drivers in adjacent lanes simply worked around it. One motorist captured footage of a human-driven car squeezing past the autonomous taxi to complete a right turn, only for the Cybercab to eventually move forward once a large gap in traffic appeared.

Software quirks also drew attention. Multiple users reported seeing a virtual joystick control panel on the center touchscreen — a feature seemingly intended for Tesla engineers to intervene remotely. "I don't think I should be seeing this," one rider wrote after attempting to tap the virtual controls, which had no effect on the stationary vehicle.

Then there was the air conditioning. With Austin temperatures hitting 96°F (35.6°C), several passengers noted the cabin never dropped below 66°F (18.9°C). One rider suggested a lower temperature setting would help, especially if Tesla plans to deploy the Cybercab in hotter markets like Las Vegas and Phoenix, where summer highs regularly exceed 110°F (43.3°C).

Not all feedback was negative. Some riders praised the seamless, driver-free experience, with one posting, "Rest in peace, Uber, Waymo, and Lyft. Sorry Tesla Cybercab, we're going all-in." Others appreciated the lack of small talk with a human driver and the VIP-like feel of the two-seat cabin.

Beyond the experience reports, a regulatory headline emerged on the same day the Cybercab entered public service. According to Reuters, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into approximately 1,000 Cybercabs, focusing on how Tesla certified the vehicle under existing federal safety standards. The core question: whether Tesla has adequate justification for claiming certain FMVSS requirements — designed for human-driven cars with steering wheels, brake pedals, and rearview mirrors — do not apply to a vehicle that eliminates all of them.

The Cybercab itself is a striking departure from Tesla's existing lineup. It measures 1,754 mm wide and just 1,408 mm tall, with a ground clearance of 144 mm and butterfly doors that rotate upward for easy entry. Cargo capacity sits at 572 liters, rated for two checked bags plus two carry-ons. Inside, the cabin is stripped down to two seats, a 22-inch touchscreen, and a physical emergency stop button. Nine cameras monitor both the road ahead and the interior, the latter used to check cleanliness and ensure no items are left behind.

Tesla's launch event was notably subdued — no livestream, no real-time social media posts allowed from attendees, and CEO Elon Musk did not appear on stage. No price was announced, and no individual purchase channels were opened, signaling that the Cybercab is being positioned as a dedicated Robotaxi vehicle rather than a consumer car.

Tesla currently has 45 Cybercabs registered for autonomous operation in Texas out of a total fleet of 420 self-driving vehicles in the state. Meanwhile, riders have reported spotting Cybercabs in cities beyond Austin, hinting at a rapid expansion timeline.

As Tesla stakes its Robotaxi ambitions on the Cybercab, the coming months will reveal whether growing pains are solvable through software updates — and whether NHTSA's review results in new compliance requirements or a green light for wider deployment.