Is Tesla’s Robo Taxi on the Streets? Mysterious Model 3 Without Mirrors Seen in Palo Alto

Model 3 without a side mirror
Spotted in California
Speculation that it is a Cybercap

Recently, a test vehicle speculated to be a Tesla Model 3 was spotted in California and became a big issue. The vehicle received so much attention because of its unique appearance—it did not have side mirrors, and even the camera was in a unique location.

People speculate that this vehicle is the robotaxi (self-driving taxi) that Tesla announced this year. Amid rampant speculation, Tesla has not yet released any information about the vehicle, which is speculated to be Model 3.

The vehicle is presumed to be a Model 3
Displays a significantly different camera arrangement

Electric vehicle enthusiast Nic Cruz Patane posted a unique-looking vehicle, speculated to be a Tesla Model 3, on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The vehicle, found in Palo Alto, California, did not have side mirrors.

In addition, the camera placement was completely different from the existing Model 3. It was seen that the camera placement had changed in many areas, such as the rear window, trunk, and side repeater. The camera’s position on the front fender has been changed, and the camera mounted on the trunk has been raised slightly from its previous position. What attracted the most attention were the two cameras installed on the rear seat windows.

Speculation of the camera arrangement for the Cybercab
Tesla announced to unveil in August 2024

Netizens who looked at photos of the Model 3 test vehicle found in California speculated that the camera placement in the back seat matched that of the robotaxi (self-driving taxi) Cybercab that Tesla announced it would launch this year. Considering that the Cybercab is expected to be a smaller vehicle than the new Model 3, it was a plausible guess.

CEO Elon Musk announced that Tesla will unveil the robotaxi Cybercab at an event on August 8, 2024. The Cybercab will be available with full self-driving capabilities. Accordingly, it is known that there is a high possibility that the vehicle will not be equipped with a steering wheel.

Proposal for FSD system on Chinese vehicles
May experience the first robotaxi in China

Meanwhile, Tesla has been working to launch a robotaxi service in China. Earlier this month, local Chinese media reported that Elon Musk proposed testing a full self-driving (FSD) system for vehicles released in the Chinese market.

This makes China likely to become the first country to experience Tesla’s robotaxi service. Tesla has not yet released any statement regarding the Model 3 test vehicle discovered in California.