No Little Kids Allowed, and Other New Details About Tesla’s Cybercab
New Tesla Cybercab details are emerging following the company’s unusually low-key private launch event, which stood in sharp contrast to the large, loud, livestreamed product launches Tesla typically favors.
Notably, CEO Elon Musk doesn’t appear to have spoken at the event at all, with the keynote itself reportedly lasting only around 15 minutes for a product he’s spent years building toward. The promise behind Cybercab remains massive: a fully autonomous vehicle relying solely on cameras and AI to drive itself, at a price significantly lower than competitors like Waymo. Still, Tesla scattered many key details across separate PDFs, updated app terms of service, and information gradually surfaced online by dedicated fans, rather than presenting them clearly upfront.
The company now faces the challenge of proving these vehicles are genuinely safe, both to the public and to regulators, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration having already opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab rollout.
No Cybercab for Young Children
Among the more surprising Tesla Cybercab details buried in the fine print is a restriction preventing minors under age 13 from riding in the vehicle “at this time.” By comparison, minors between 8 and 17 are permitted to ride in Tesla’s separate Robotaxi Model Y SUVs, which include established guidelines for child seat use.
Curiously, the Cybercab lacks standard LATCH anchors typically used to secure child seats, meaning car seats can only be attached using the vehicle’s seat belt instead. Tesla executives, including Musk, have frequently discussed their focus on removing unnecessary components to reduce manufacturing costs, though eliminating child seat anchors specifically stands out as a notable choice, particularly given Musk’s frequently stated views on encouraging larger families. Tesla requires that all children under 18 be accompanied by an adult in both vehicle types, though something specific appears to be giving the company pause about allowing young children in the Cybercab for now.
What Happens During a Crash
Among the more safety-focused Tesla Cybercab details, several automatic responses trigger during a crash. According to Tesla’s documentation, airbags deploy, doors automatically unlock, hazard and interior lights activate, and the high-voltage battery disables, windows shift to a ventilation position, the vehicle applies brakes to come to a controlled stop, and the infotainment system initiates a two-way connection with Tesla’s rider support team.
The automatic door unlocking feature is particularly notable given Tesla’s recent scrutiny over electronic door latches, both in its home US market and in China, its largest market globally. Just last month, Tesla agreed to recall 3 million vehicles in China, alongside several other automakers, following an investigation into electronic door latches that could potentially trap occupants following a crash.
Manual Door Releases Get a Better Placement
Related to ongoing door latch concerns, Tesla has also faced criticism that manual interior door releases in its existing vehicles can be difficult to locate during emergencies. These manual releases matter significantly because electronic door latches, activated by button or smartphone, serve as the primary way to enter and exit Tesla vehicles.
The Cybercab similarly uses electronic door latches, which allow doors to open automatically at the start or end of a ride, alongside a small exterior button riders can use manually. Inside the vehicle, however, the manual release has reportedly been placed in a clearly visible location on each door’s armrest, addressing at least part of the earlier criticism.
Brake-by-Wire and Other Cost-Cutting Design Choices
Tesla is using a brake-by-wire system in the Cybercab, another apparent cost-cutting measure. Rather than relying on a traditional hydraulic system pumping fluid through lines to control brake pressure, the vehicle uses electronic actuators to directly control brake calipers instead. “Having electric brakes avoids the complexity of a hydraulic system: no need to rout plumbing all around the car,” Musk wrote in a social media post explaining the design choice.
This isn’t the company’s first departure from traditional automotive engineering. Tesla was already the first major automaker to implement steer-by-wire technology in its Cybertruck, severing the direct physical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels entirely.
A Few Additional Quirks
Among the more unusual Tesla Cybercab details, the vehicle’s windows reportedly cannot be fully opened at this time, though Tesla hasn’t offered any explanation for this limitation in its released documentation.
On a more practical note, according to influencer Jeremy Judkins, the Cybercab’s USB-C power outlets deliver 90 watts of power, roughly four times more than what’s typically found in most standard vehicles, offering a genuinely useful upgrade for passengers looking to quickly charge devices during a ride.