Tesla’s self-driving Cybercab sparked widespread attention after it was seen moving through the streets of Los Angeles, with two drivers following it and filming a video that quickly went viral on, TikTok.
The footage shows the vehicle navigating traffic while the pair mock its unusual design and exterior details.
The footage soon fueled online debate, with criticism targeting the car’s narrow shape, likened to a shopping cart, as well as the absence of traditional mirrors and its full reliance on cameras.
Details
Reactions across the video and social platforms focused on several key points:
- Design: described as too narrow and unbalanced compared to conventional cars.
- Features: no side mirrors, relying entirely on camera systems.
- Build quality: criticism of rear panel alignment and noticeable gaps.
The person filming also pointed out that someone appeared to be inside the vehicle, despite it being labeled as driverless, raising questions about its testing phase.
More broadly, the Cybercab reflects Tesla’s growing reliance on camera-based vision systems in its self-driving technology, unlike competitors that use lidar and additional sensors.
Comparisons circulating online show the Cybercab is significantly smaller and narrower than the Model Y, one of Tesla’s best-selling vehicles globally, suggesting it is designed for short-distance travel and potentially shared urban mobility.
What’s Next?
Attention now turns to whether Tesla will move the vehicle into real-world deployment and how regulators will respond to its design, particularly the absence of traditional mirrors.
