Tesla's Cybercab Undergoes Winter Testing in Buffalo, New York [Video]
Until recently, sightings of Tesla’s dedicated Robotaxi were limited to the low-speed grid in downtown Austin and to closed tracks at Giga Texas. Tesla now appears to be expanding those tests.
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Until recently, sightings of Tesla’s dedicated Robotaxi were limited to low-speed runs in downtown Austin and closed-course testing at Giga Texas. That footprint appears to be expanding: the Cybercab has been spotted on Austin’s MoPac expressway and, more notably, in Buffalo, New York — roughly 1,500 miles from Austin.
The Austin footage, captured in slow motion, is the first clear clip showing the vehicle at highway speeds. A separate video from Buffalo (credited to Ty Thomson) suggests Tesla is conducting cold-weather evaluations far from its Texas base.
Why highway testing matters
City driving exercises complex decision-making — pedestrians, unprotected left turns and dense, unpredictable traffic — but generally at lower speeds where wind and vibration are minimal. Highway testing, by contrast, exposes vehicles to wind noise, road-induced vibration and potential aerodynamic resonances or instabilities. Engineers need to confirm the cabin remains quiet and that no unexpected behaviors emerge at higher speeds.
Why Buffalo matters
The Buffalo sighting likely signals cold-weather validation: assessing component performance, charging behavior and efficiency in lower temperatures. Regional temperatures have hovered in the mid-30s, and snow is possible, so further wintertesting could follow to evaluate performance under harsher conditions.
Steering, charging and regulatory context
These recent sightings also provide the clearest view yet of the Cybercab’s steering wheel, which appears to be derived from the Cybertruck and likely supports steer-by-wire. Tesla is expected to deploy wireless charging eventually, but vehicles operating cross-country may use temporary charging ports until wireless infrastructure is available.
The vehicle retains side mirrors and apparent human controls. Current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require human controls for street-legal test vehicles unless a specific exemption is granted. That regulatory framework — potentially subject to change at an upcoming hearing — means Tesla must continue validating with human controls and safety drivers for now.
Moving toward 2026
These highway and winter tests align with Tesla’s aggressive timetable: production is slated to begin in April, with Cybercabs expected on the road by the end of 2026. Sightings in Austin have escalated quickly — from rare appearances near Giga Texas to tandem downtown drives and now high-speed highway runs — indicating a shift from early alpha trials toward broader validation. Expect to see more Cybercabs tested across diverse regions as Tesla ramps up.
The Austin footage, captured in slow motion, is the first clear clip showing the vehicle at highway speeds. A separate video from Buffalo (credited to Ty Thomson) suggests Tesla is conducting cold-weather evaluations far from its Texas base.
Why highway testing matters
City driving exercises complex decision-making — pedestrians, unprotected left turns and dense, unpredictable traffic — but generally at lower speeds where wind and vibration are minimal. Highway testing, by contrast, exposes vehicles to wind noise, road-induced vibration and potential aerodynamic resonances or instabilities. Engineers need to confirm the cabin remains quiet and that no unexpected behaviors emerge at higher speeds.
Why Buffalo matters
The Buffalo sighting likely signals cold-weather validation: assessing component performance, charging behavior and efficiency in lower temperatures. Regional temperatures have hovered in the mid-30s, and snow is possible, so further wintertesting could follow to evaluate performance under harsher conditions.
Steering, charging and regulatory context
These recent sightings also provide the clearest view yet of the Cybercab’s steering wheel, which appears to be derived from the Cybertruck and likely supports steer-by-wire. Tesla is expected to deploy wireless charging eventually, but vehicles operating cross-country may use temporary charging ports until wireless infrastructure is available.
The vehicle retains side mirrors and apparent human controls. Current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require human controls for street-legal test vehicles unless a specific exemption is granted. That regulatory framework — potentially subject to change at an upcoming hearing — means Tesla must continue validating with human controls and safety drivers for now.
Moving toward 2026
These highway and winter tests align with Tesla’s aggressive timetable: production is slated to begin in April, with Cybercabs expected on the road by the end of 2026. Sightings in Austin have escalated quickly — from rare appearances near Giga Texas to tandem downtown drives and now high-speed highway runs — indicating a shift from early alpha trials toward broader validation. Expect to see more Cybercabs tested across diverse regions as Tesla ramps up.
