Tesla's Cybercab Fleet Spotted at Giga Texas as Production Ramps
April 8, 2026
By Nehal Malik
Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas is buzzing with activity as the company prepares to flip the switch on mass production for its autonomous future. Drone footage of the facility from this week captured the largest fleet of Cybercabs spotted to date, signaling that the factory is moving well beyond early prototypes and into serious manufacturing volume.
According to Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer (@JoeTegtmeyer), about 60 Cybercab units were seen staged in two groups within the outbound lot. "I saw about 60 of them in two groups in the outbound lot today … the largest grouping yet!" Tegtmeyer noted, suggesting that these vehicles could be destined for testing sites or early Robotaxi launch areas across the country.
Steering Wheels and the Regulatory Plan B
One of the most notable details in this latest sighting is the presence of clearly visible steering wheels in most of the units. While Tesla has previously built units without any manual controls, these staged vehicles seem to be equipped for human intervention. This is likely a strategic move to meet current safety regulations in the short term.
Tesla has already confirmed it is willing to ship the Cybercab with a steering wheel and pedals if required by law. By including them now, Tesla can get the fleet on the road immediately to accumulate data and provide rides while waiting for federal approval to remove the controls entirely. Interestingly, although some seats in the footage appeared white, Tegtmeyer clarified that "the 'white' look is just very bright sun on the black" of the seats, confirming the interior remains consistent with earlier black-themed designs.
Staggered Wheels and Front-Wheel Drive
The units spotted this week also feature a curious wheel setup that caught the eye of enthusiasts. The front wheels use a simple black steel-style rim, while the rear wheels feature a more aerodynamic, silver-capped design. This visual difference likely stems from the Cybercab's staggered wheel setup, which uses larger tires in the rear to improve stability and aesthetics.
Because the Cybercab is rumored to be front-wheel drive, the front tires likely handle all the propulsion and steering torque, while the larger rear tires provide a solid anchor for the vehicle's unique teardrop silhouette. Using different rim styles during this ramp-up phase could also help engineers quickly distinguish between various tire specifications during durability testing. We've also recently seen inside the Cybercab's frunk, which houses a massive fluid reservoir, likely to support the car's extensive camera-washing system.
Preparing for the April Mass Production
The sighting of 60 units in the outbound lot is a massive jump from the handful of cars we saw just a few weeks ago. Tesla is slated to begin mass production of the Cybercab this month, and seeing this many 'finished' units ready for transport suggests the line is moving at a steady clip.
As Tesla prepares to dominate the autonomous ride-hailing market, the Cybercab will serve as the specialized backbone of the network. Whether they launch with steering wheels or without, the sheer volume of cars now appearing at Giga Texas proves that Tesla is no longer just talking about the future — they are currently shipping it.
Tesla Adds Parked Blind Spot Warning to Cybertruck
April 8, 2026
By Nehal Malik
Tesla is continuing to bridge the feature gap between its newest models with its latest software push. As part of the massive 2026.2.9.6 update, the Cybertruck is finally receiving the 'Blind Spot Warning While Parked' feature, a critical safety tool designed to prevent 'dooring' accidents.
Preventing the Danger of 'Dooring'
'Dooring' is a term used for a specific and dangerous type of collision where a person in a parked car opens their door without checking their blind spot, hitting a cyclist or forcing them to swerve into traffic. These incidents often result in severe injuries, but Tesla’s new solution uses the vehicle's side-facing cameras to monitor the environment even after the car is stopped.
The release notes explain exactly how the safety intervention works: 'If you attempt to open a door while an approaching object is detected in your blind spot (for example, a bicyclist approaching from behind) the blind spot indicator light flashes, a chime sounds, and your door will not open upon initial button press.' To ensure you aren't trapped in an emergency, Tesla allows for a manual override. You can simply 'wait a short time and press the button a second time to override the warning.'
Utilizing Built-in Hardware
This feature was first introduced on the 'Highland' Model 3 refresh back in November 2024. Like that model, the Cybertruck features a dedicated blind-spot indicator LED hidden within the upper speaker grills. When a hazard is detected, this red LED will flash to catch your eye before you even touch the door release.
The system detects more than just bikes; it picks up on cars, pedestrians, and 'other objects' that Tesla Vision identifies as a threat, and it is especially useful on a vehicle as large as the Cybertruck. Because the Cybertruck uses electronic door buttons rather than traditional mechanical latches, the car can effectively 'lock' the door electronically on that first press to prevent a collision. It is important to note, however, that the emergency mechanical door release levers will still bypass this safety check.
Customization and Rollout
Owners who find the intervention too intrusive can toggle the feature off under Controls > Safety in the vehicle’s touchscreen. While it is currently limited to the Highland Model 3 and the Cybertruck due to their speaker-grill LEDs, there is speculation that Tesla could eventually bring a version of this to the Model Y and the rest of its fleet, using just on-screen warnings and audio chimes.
As Tesla’s flagship truck finally gains parity with the rest of the fleet's safety tech, it’s clear that the company is prioritizing urban safety. With more people moving toward micromobility, features like this could significantly reduce the number of preventable accidents in crowded city centers.
