A Tesla Cybercab prototype has been spotted in Chicago, revealing a new rear camera washer designed to maintain visibility in harsh winter conditions. The sighting highlights Tesla's efforts to ensure reliable autonomous operation for its upcoming robotaxi. Production of the vehicle is set to begin in less than 100 days using an innovative unboxed manufacturing process.
Recent images of an early Tesla Cybercab prototype navigating the salty, slushy roads of Chicago show liquid dripping from its rear bumper, indicating the addition of a rear-facing camera washer. This feature keeps the rear camera clean amid road grime, a critical measure for the vehicle's camera-based autonomous system, which relies entirely on visual feeds without a human driver. Automotive journalist Sawyer Merritt noted on X, “This is a feature that many Tesla owners have been asking for, especially in snowy areas. Hope it makes it to the rest of the lineup.”
Tesla unveiled the Cybercab in October 2024 as a two-passenger robotaxi with a target price under $30,000 and promises of unsupervised full self-driving. Initial production was slated for 2027, but Elon Musk updated during the Q3 2025 earnings call that volume production would reach 2026. Musk expressed confidence, stating, “At this point, I feel 100 percent confident that we can sell unsupervised full self-driving at a safety level much greater than human.” The Chicago testing underscores preparations for expansion beyond California and Texas, with plans announced in November 2025 to launch in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami.
Another prototype sighted in Austin lacks side mirrors, relying on fender cameras, though it retains temporary human controls for safety validation. Speculation from Tesla watcher Owen Sparks points to a rear panel potentially housing a physical NACS charging port as a backup to the planned wireless system, offering flexibility before widespread infrastructure deployment.
Production ramps up in under 100 days from January 20, 2026, employing Tesla's unboxed manufacturing process for the first time. This aims for a cycle time under 10 seconds per vehicle, compared to 34 seconds for the Model Y, with a long-term goal of about 5 seconds. Musk cautioned that initial output will be slow due to numerous new parts and steps, following an S-curve to eventual high volume.
