SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla will launch its Cybercab robotaxi early September, Tesla-focused news outlet Teslarati reported.

File photo: Xinhua

The launch is scheduled for Sept. 3 in Austin, Texas, where the company is headquartered, said Teslarati, which received an invitation to the event.

Tesla has not publicly confirmed the date.

Industry observers said the event is expected to focus not only on unveiling a new vehicle but also on introducing a purpose-built autonomous vehicle.

The Cybercab is designed without a steering wheel or pedals and relies entirely on self-driving software for near-full autonomy.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said the company plans to sell the Cybercab to private customers for less than 30,000 U.S. dollars apiece.

First unveiled in October 2024, the Cybercab is central to Tesla's robotaxi ambitions. It is expected to operate alongside Model Y vehicles, which have been used for autonomous passenger rides in real-world conditions for more than a year.

According to tech publication The Information, Tesla plans to initially deploy Cybercab vehicles by offering rides to employees on public roads before integrating them into its commercial robotaxi service.

The launch would mark another step in Tesla's push into autonomous driving, with robotaxi services expected to play a key role in the company's future revenue model and artificial intelligence strategy.