Social media was flooded with funny memes after Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk posted “Gonna happen :D” on X. These two words actually mean a lot.
Musk responded to his long-time friend, and Tesla retail investor Omar’s post showing an AI-generated picture of a bald Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, a YouTuber and social media tech influencer.
In 2024, MKBHD challenged Elon Musk to deliver a $30K or less Robotaxi (Cybercab) to a customer before 2027. If Musk could do it, MKBHD would shave his head on camera.
On Tuesday (17th Feb), at Giga Texas, Tesla produced its first Cybercab vehicle. “First Cybercab off the production line at Giga Texas,” Tesla’s official account announced on X.
Marques Brownlee in October 2024 on the Cybercab being delivered before 2027 for $30,000:
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 17, 2026
"There's no way they're actually going to be able to do that. If they do, I will shave my head on camera. I'm that confident they won't do it."
Today, Tesla announced that the first… https://t.co/CDMz7IfGbG pic.twitter.com/6iu2QDR4Cl
Musk vs MKBHD is the fun part of the Cybercab robotaxi journey. In a later tweet, Elon Musk categorically confirmed that he’s indeed referring to a $30,000 or less Cybercab/Robotaxi vehicle delivery before 2027 when he wrote “Gonna happen :D”.
Looks like, as the year passes by, looking at Tesla Cybercab and FSD progress is going to be very exciting and intense. The Tesla AI team should already be feeling the pressure, as this is the critical AI software component to get rid of the steering wheel.
Last year, Tesla employees were spotted testing the Cybercab with a steering wheel. But having a steering wheel in the vehicle does not fulfill MKBHD’s conditions for shaving his head on camera.
Getting rid of the steering wheel isn’t totally out of the question. Tesla might just offer this version in Texas in the first phase. In its native Lone Star State, it will be easier for Tesla to acquire regulatory approval compared to states like California.
Tesla is already providing robotaxi service without any human supervision in Austin, Texas. This is done in a large geofenced area on a limited scale, but Tesla’s AI neural nets are learning fast, and the possibility of the expansion of this service is quite reasonable.
Cybercab Production at Giga Texas
Tesla’s announcement of producing the first Cybercab at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, was surprising. Critics and analysts weren’t expecting the electric automaker to move on to production so fast. Tesla aims to begin Cybercab volume production starting in April 2026 at the latest.
The early production units of the Cybercab are still going to be for internal use by Tesla employees. Historically, members of the Tesla board rushed to have the right to purchase the production #1 car. Tesla board member Ira Ehrenpreiss gave Elon Musk the 1st production Model 3 as his 46th birthday gift in 2017.
Giga Texas is home to Model Y and Cybertruck production in the United States. Tesla has a ton of experience ramping up production at this factory. Cybercab production ramp will be easier than the Cybertruck, and its volume is going to be even greater than Model Y and Model 3 in the future as autonomous ride-hailing becomes a norm.
As production lines and tooling are all set up at Giga Texas, production of the customer units is not going to be a big hurdle for Tesla. The real challenge is getting Tesla FSD to a level of autonomy and safety that easily passes regulatory approvals.
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Related Robotaxi/Cybercab News
- Tesla expands Unsupervised Robotaxi service to two new cities in Texas, and it’s cheaper than Waymo
- Tesla Cybercab first impressions: interior space, charge port, improved FSD cameras, ambient lighting, more
- Tesla sends Cybercab robotaxis from Giga Texas to testing locations across the US
- Tesla challenges UniBev’s squatting of the ‘Cybercab’ trademark with the USPTO
- Musk promises a $30K or less Cybercab delivery before 2027, Tesla (TSLA) produces the first unit at Giga Texas
- Tesla files for additional trademarks for the Cybercab in some US states: Cybercar, Cybervehicle, Robotaxi
