We’re sitting in Tesla’s driverless car

Editor’s note: Our colleagues from Motor1 Italy had the opportunity to view the Cybercab in person. They also had the rare opportunity to sit in a cybercab. The following text highlights their experiences with the Tesla Cybercab.

Tesla took its Cybercab on a tour of Europe. Elon Musk’s new self-driving vehicle has crossed the Atlantic, so we headed to London to get a closer look at what it looks like. Not so much outside, as we already got a glimpse of what it looked like at the unveiling last month, but inside.

We opened the doors, which move up like a butterfly, and sat inside to get a feel for what it feels like to sit in a car that, let’s say, has no steering wheel or pedals.

25

Practicality first

The Cybercab was designed from the start for robotaxi service, and when you step aboard you get a clear sense of the priorities the designers have set. Not so much the fact that, as mentioned, there is no steering wheel and pedals, but the fact that the car is indispensable in every way.

Seen the Tesla Cybercab in person

The dashboard, like other Teslas on the road, is flat and horizontal. Everything revolves around the large central screen, which will most likely be used to set the destination, view the route, watch a movie or listen to music on the go. But aside from the touchscreen, what fascinates me the most are the seats.

Two seats and nothing more

The Cybercab only has two seats. This is because most journeys assume that one or at most two people are being transported. The seats are not wraparound. They are wide and have a flat back. They are more like living chairs than “automotive” objects. The Cybercab moves exclusively in an urban environment and does not require contoured sides to restrain the body during sideways acceleration.

There is only a center armrest between the two seats, and there are two cup holders underneath. Stop: There is nothing else. This is not only done for cost reasons but also for another reason. Tesla’s idea is that these cybercabs can use automatic disinfection stations between trips. To ensure that all users can sit in a clean and disinfected cabin.

The seats look like two lounge chairs. They are padded with faux leather and are easily washable

Where can you see the Cybercab?

If you want to see Tesla’s robotaxi up close, here are the dates and locations where it will be on display. But we’re already saying it: your viewing will take place with the doors closed.

• Nov 20 – Dec 9: London, Berlin, Paris
• December 12th – December 31st: Stockholm, Oslo, Amsterdam