Tesla has started offering Cybercab robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, through its Robotaxi app, marking the first public deployment of the autonomous vehicle.
The company said riders can request autonomous trips through the app on iOS and Android in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Tampa, but the Cybercab option appears to be available only in Austin for now.
Tesla said the vehicle a customer receives in Austin will depend on group size and vehicle availability, and riders cannot specifically request a Cybercab at this stage.
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Tesla wrote on its website: “Hail your car and use it for errands, commuting and more.”
The New York Times noted that Tesla is authorized to operate 314 driverless vehicles in Texas. Most are Model Ys, while 45 of the vehicles in the fleet are Cybercabs.
It remains unclear how many of those Cybercabs are being used as taxis and how many are part of Tesla’s testing program.
The Cybercab has no steering wheel or brake pedals and was designed for fully autonomous operation. The interior has bench seating for up to two passengers and a central touchscreen on the dashboard.
The vehicle also has trunk space for luggage, scooters and other large items.
The Cybercabs now operating in Austin are owned by Tesla. The company said it plans to sell the vehicles in the future and is taking inquiries from parties interested in helping build its robotaxi network.