If everyone agrees on the capacity of autonomous driving to revolutionize the mobility sector, the different players in the automobile industry do not agree on the same timetable. Some manufacturers currently prefer to perfect SAE level 2 autonomous driving systems, where the driver remains responsible for their vehicle, while others wish to achieve the highest level of autonomy as quickly as possible.
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This is the case of Tesla, which presented in October 2024 its Cybercab and Robovan, two “Robotaxis” dedicated to autonomous driving to the point where they do without a steering wheel and pedals. The first, a small two-seater coupe, is already embarking on a European tour to meet its potential future passengers. We were able to discover the Cybercab at the Tesla Center in Paris Madeleine, where it has been on display since November 23 until December 8, 2024.
The smallest (and cheapest) Tesla
If it shares inspiration with the Cybertruck pick-up, the Cybercab is less angular and above all much less imposing. Tesla does not communicate the dimensions of the Cybercab, still at the prototype stage, which we evasively measured at around 4.25 m long and 1.70 m wide, for 1.45 m high, with the Measurement app. the iPhone. For comparison, a Tesla Model 3, currently the manufacturer’s smallest car, measures 4.72 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.44 m high.
Of course, this Cybercab is only a two-seater car, a choice assumed by Tesla which indicates that 82% of taxi trips are made with one or two passengers. In any case, the brand’s other models, capable of carrying between five and seven passengers, could also be made available within Tesla’s future autonomous taxi service.
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The model’s two seats, which are accessed via elytra doors, are particularly soft on this prototype, to the detriment of lateral support. The space allocated to passengers allows them to stretch their legs and the headroom is sufficient, even for the tallest.
The central screen measures 21 inches diagonally, making it the largest on board a Tesla. If we have not been able to take it in hand, it will play an even more important role in informing and entertaining passengers, whose driving task will have been freed. Two USB-C sockets are present on board, but surprisingly no wireless charger has been integrated into this prototype.
The trunk, for its part, is very deep but particularly narrow. It would be enough to charge the least two cabin suitcases from Tesla.
The two-seater coupe format, like a 100% electric Volkswagen XL1 or modern-day GM EV1, should allow consumption of less than 12 kWh/100 km. As a result, the Cybercab should not have to carry a large capacity battery, although its technical sheet is still kept secret. We simply know that it will charge by induction, obviously autonomously.
If Tesla plans to launch production of the Cybercab in 2026 for entry into service in 2027, the brand will already have to finalize the fully autonomous version of its Autopilot and obtain the necessary authorizations. Tesla’s autonomous driving system, now based solely on cameras, has however lost its lead over the rest of the industry. Although it remains quite effective, it is still very far from allowing safe autonomous driving in all conditions. Of course, Waymo already operates a fleet of autonomous taxis in the United States, but under very supervised conditions and not without some hiccups. Tesla’s ambitions go beyond this objective for its Cybercab, with which it hopes to offer races at the price of a bus ticket. It should also be possible to own this 100% autonomous electric car by paying less than $30,000, promises Elon Musk.
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