CyberCab SPOTTED Testing 👀

Image is from u/boopitysmopp on Reddit

[SpeakerKevin]

That's the new Roadster equipped with the cold air thruster in the back.

[krispyywombat]

I have a few theories:
- This vehicle is likely a testing/data collection prototype. Either it's collecting data or it's dimensionally/sensor-wise matched to the robotaxi and thus good enough to test it while more finished-feeling prototypes are getting built. Run the ugly duckling around to make sure the system works, and then work until the last minute to make the reporter-facing prototypes shiny and nice
- Following from the above, the shape of the roofline isn't final, it's likely pulled from another car like the 3, and welded onto this prototype so they have something to use while testing.
- The boxes in the back are likely computers for computational tasks like checking the data coming in/going out, processing mapping data, etc.
- The wheels are almost certainly another result of this prototype's hodge-podge nature, and a part of camoflage.
- If we do get the "25k car" it's likely going to be after incentives, based on some of what we've heard with changes in approach with gigacasting, or it's simply going to come later. Tesla's "more affordable vehicles" next year that use "a mix of platform parts from our current and next gen vehicles" (I am paraphrasing) likely mean that they won't be able to cost reduce quite as much as hoped. Now... I'm not mad, a 32k Tesla hatchback with some of the next gen benefits sounds great, and I would be in the group who gets to pay 25 for it.

I could be wrong on all of that, though, who knows.

[lapmobile]

I'm thinking the large back wheel is a trick to cover up the fact that there is just a single rear back wheel.

[stonesonfire]

The wide-body rear-end is obviously a camouflage tactic & it's most likely regressed.

[HansMilling]

Perhaps the rear wheels are not touching the ground as it only have one rear wheel in the center, so they are dummies.

[JRP]

The big wheels and fender flares are likely covering up the narrower rear end with the same size tires and rims as the front. Likely not a 3 wheeler but 4 wheels with a narrower stance in the back which will help aerodynamics.

[px]

looks like a one night stand between model 3 and cybertruck

[DanFrederiksen]

Sounds legit but who had a telephoto lens from above at warner brothers lot? and only took one picture...

[david.e.h.]

Hi Drew, have you used Waymo? I've used it in Phoenix, and it was great. I was surprised how well it dealt with the street dip sections, slowed down, crossed the dip, and sped up, no issues and really smooth.

OK, I don't want to be a Tesla conspiracy theorist, but maybe the boxy back end on the robotaxi could house the actual driver. To do drive by wire, they just extend the wires and and place the pedals and yoke in the back. I only say that because the last Tesla robot was in a glass display case (at a robotics show with other companies actually demoing actual robots) and one of the original Tesla robots, was a person dancing around in a "robot suit". Just a thought.


Love your content!

[rliao]

I agree the rear wheel may be fake to hide the single rear wheel in the middle. Quite similar to an Aptera. This would also make the cybercab an autocycle. I am not a legal expert, but this may avoid the regulation hurdles on autonomous cars since it is not a car? Just my wild guess

[dylanwhite]

I feel like if FSD comes out and we actually allow our cars to be taxis, there’s no way it requires you to buy FSD. You simply get paid like 25% less if you don’t have FSD.

[trwhite]

I’ve used the WayMo service a couple of times in the Phoenix area, and it’s been great.

[Buringrud]

The robo taxi will look similar to the cybertruck. You can see in the picture with Franz. He used tape and marked out a more slopped roof and back end. It will not be bubbly like the 3 or Y

[chrisoconnell]

It'd be pretty weird if Tesla wasn't testing prototypes is close to unveil.

[BlindedByLogic]

I think if they are able to perfect wireless charging and airless tires, it will help the robotaxi a TON. The future is exciting.

[longmuskox]

Larger tires have a higher load-carrying capacity. If it's a delivery vehicle for heavy items such as appliances, glass windows, stone counter tops, beverages, etc.

[Mkke]

The wheels might be just a test setup. Testing different sizes. This will be confirmed or debunked when we get more leaks

[darwinskeeper]

I've thought about it a bit and I can't find a good reason to put big and little wheels on a taxi cab. Different tire sizes are usually seen on high performance cars, and stocking two different wheel and tire sizes would be a pain for the cabs' maintenance depot. One possibility that comes to mind is that Tesla wanted to make the front wheels REALLY small for a lower hood line and better aerodynamics. Otherwise, large rear wheels could be part of the car's disguise.

[jamesharvey]

My guess is that the large wheels house an initial iteration of hub motors...lots of potential operating and manufacturing efficiencies and the unsprung weight issues can be engineered out

[CH-esup]

So which do we get first? Cold fusion? Or self-driving vehicles?