Tesla has started engineering tests of its first production Cybercab vehicles on public roads in Austin. The vehicles lack steering wheels and pedals and operate under the company's Level 4 self-certification.
Tesla announced on June 30 that the initial production units have entered on-road testing around the Texas capital. Video shared by the company shows the two-seat vehicle navigating traffic with no human controls present.
An onboard safety monitor remains in the passenger seat during these validation trials. The tests focus on the Full Self-Driving software in real-world urban conditions.
Production of the Cybercab is underway at Gigafactory Texas. Tesla self-certified the vehicles for SAE Level 4 autonomy under new Texas legislation that took effect in May.
The company also released a First Responders Guide for the Cybercab ahead of the tests, including details on geofencing and emergency access protocols.
