Musk: early Cybercab output might be “agonisingly sluggish”

Tesla Chief Govt Elon Musk has taken the uncharacteristic step of urging measured expectations, stating that early manufacturing of the Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robotic might be “agonisingly sluggish” earlier than ultimately ramping as much as larger volumes. In a 21 January put up on X, Musk claimed that the preliminary manufacturing tempo for each merchandise will comply with an S-curve sample, with velocity inversely proportional to the amount of novel parts and fabrication processes concerned.

“For Cybercab and Optimus, nearly every part is new, so the early manufacturing fee might be agonisingly sluggish, however ultimately find yourself being insanely quick,” Musk stated. His remarks got here in response to a put up noting that Cybercab manufacturing would start inside 100 days. Tesla beforehand indicated the two-seater Cybercab would attain quantity manufacturing throughout 2026, with Optimus output “hopefully” commencing in the direction of the top of the 12 months.

A lot of Tesla’s US$1.39tr market capitalisation is because of investor expectations for the automaker’s highly-vaunted autonomous driving expertise and humanoid robotics, regardless of its core income and revenue persevering with to derive from automotive gross sales. Lately Musk has tried to reframe the corporate as an AI and robotics firm; in 2022 he characterised its capability to unravel car autonomy as “the distinction between Tesla being value some huge cash or value principally zero”.

The Cybercab options no steering wheel, pedals or rearview mirrors, and serves as the primary operational car designed particularly for Tesla’s driverless taxi service. The shortage of guide controls means it would face extra stringent regulatory hurdles earlier than it’s accredited to be used on US roads.

In the meantime, the automaker continues to battle advancing its self-driving expertise past SAE Stage 2, with many analysts, insiders and subject material specialists pinning the blame on its adamant refusal to make use of non-camera sensors in its car notion programs. Shoppers have confirmed equally reticent; an August 2025 ballot of US customers discovered that half imagine Tesla’s Full Self-Driving expertise ought to be unlawful, whereas 70% reject the corporate’s digicam vision-only strategy in favour of multi-sensor programs.

Tesla launched restricted robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas throughout mid-2025 utilizing Mannequin Y items geared up with Full Self-Driving software program reasonably than the purpose-built Cybercabs. The fleet has expanded to roughly 34 autos working inside geofenced areas which were enlarged twice since launch, with early deployments together with security displays seated in passenger positions. Musk reported in December that the corporate was testing robotaxis with out security officers current, describing the autonomous take a look at journey as “excellent driving”.

The modified Mannequin Y autos deployed in Austin incorporate {hardware} upgrades together with self-cleaning cameras, redundant telecommunications items and GPS programs enabling fixed contact with distant teleoperators who can help if autos encounter difficulties. A Tesla engineer conceded within the weeks main as much as the launch that the service leans closely on tele-ops.