Tesla’s long-anticipated Cybercab has officially been seen driving on public roads in California for the first time. The sighting marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s development of its fully autonomous vehicle designed for ride-hailing and urban mobility.
Witnesses spotted the vehicle only a few minutes away from Tesla’s Engineering Headquarters in Los Altos, suggesting that public road testing has now begun after months of preparation and closed-course trials.
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
Careful Steps Toward Autonomy
The Cybercab prototype was equipped with side mirrors and a driver behind the wheel. Although the vehicle is designed to operate without traditional controls, Tesla appears to be using this stage to validate its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in real-world conditions.
Regulations currently require side mirrors on all road-tested vehicles, and the presence of a driver shows Tesla is prioritizing safety during these initial public trials. This cautious approach is consistent with Tesla’s testing standards as it moves from track testing to actual city traffic.
From the Test Track to Real Roads
Over the past several weeks, Cybercab prototypes have been spotted more frequently around Tesla facilities. Earlier sightings included:
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Testing sessions at the Fremont Factory’s private track
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Units parked outside Gigafactory Texas’s crash testing center
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A series of new job postings related to Cybercab production and manufacturing
These developments point to rapid progress as Tesla prepares for the next stage of vehicle validation.
Production Plans and Design Considerations
Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm recently confirmed that the company is still evaluating whether the first production version of Cybercab will include a steering wheel and pedals. This option would differ from CEO Elon Musk’s original vision of a fully autonomous robotaxi with no manual controls.
The Cybercab has not yet entered the regulatory approval process. Tesla aims to begin volume production in the second quarter of 2026. Achieving a version that operates entirely without manual controls would require Tesla’s FSD system to reach full capability within the next eight months, a timeline that remains highly ambitious.