[AutonomousVehicles] Discussion about making money off Cyber Cab

[pmdonahue2 at gmail.com]

Good afternoon Corn and everyone,

 

I’ll be interested to hear how this will work. Much would depend on whether or not you would need to take out a car loan to buy these vehicles or if Tesla itself will develop an owner-purchas program and will manage the financing itself. As long as the vehicle pays for itself including the financing this would be awesome! And the more cybercabs you can buy the more you’ll make as long as there’s no downtime and the vehicles pay for themselves. I watched that video last night and will want to follow developments in this space. Perhaps in time Waymo and Zoox will have similar programs. Our friends Samantha and her daughter Leila are all for such a program.

 

                We had an interesting discussion last Friday. Our cleaning lady Samantha’s husband Moses Fernandez told Leila that he would buy her a car once she has a driver’s license. This guy has been a poor excuse of a father and a spouse to his wife and their kids. Samantha or (Sam) as we call her has had difficulty finding ways to get Leila home from school. She is very protective of her and won’t let her ride the school bus. During our conversation I suggested to her that perhaps when autonomous rideshare services launch or in the case of Waymo relaunch in the Alamo City. Her response was, “Waymo! “That’s right! “ With no driver there’s no one to take advantage of her, I won’t need to worry about something happening to her, and if these companies develop teen plans where parents can set boundaries as to where they can travel I’m all for that!”Autonomous rideshare is creating new opportunities for those wishing to become entrepreneurs and in time will make the roads safer and quieter for everyone! All the best.

 

Peter Donahue

 

   

 

From: AutonomousVehicles <autonomousvehicles-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cornelius Butler via AutonomousVehicles
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 5:07 AM
To: autonomousvehicles at nfbnet.org
Cc: Cornelius Butler <cornelius.butler at gmail.com>
Subject: [AutonomousVehicles] Discussion about making money off Cyber Cab

 

Hi Everyone,

One thing that Tesla plans to do is cell the Cyber Cab and allow people to make money off it.

 

Kim Java just did a new video that looks at it form this perspective where people can make money off their own Tesla Robo Taxi Service by putting their vehicle on the network.

Video and Summary are below.

YouTube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjKDmiHtAo

Executive Overview

In this video, Kim Java travels to Austin, Texas, to evaluate the Tesla Cybercab from the perspective of a potential owner-operator and business investor.

The video explores whether Elon Musk’s projection that a Cybercab could generate roughly $30,000 per year in gross revenue or profit could translate into a viable fleet business once platform fees, maintenance, cleaning, charging, insurance, and downtime are considered.

Key Highlights

1.	Cybercab Business Potential

*	Elon Musk has previously suggested that the Cybercab could cost less than $30,000 and operate for roughly 20 cents per mile.
*	Musk has also suggested that a Cybercab could generate approximately $30,000 per year.
*	If Tesla takes an estimated 30% platform fee, approximately $21,000 per vehicle would remain before expenses such as insurance, cleaning, charging, tires, and maintenance.
*	Based on more realistic operating assumptions, the video estimates that an owner could potentially need approximately 25 to 50 Cybercabs to generate $1 million per year in net earnings.
*	The ultimate profitability of a Cybercab fleet will depend heavily on vehicle utilization, operating costs, downtime, and Tesla’s platform fees.

2.	Cybercab Design and Interior

*	The Cybercab uses powered butterfly-style doors that open using an exterior button.
*	Proximity sensors can stop the doors if someone is standing too close.
*	The interior features large, durable synthetic seats designed to be easy to clean.
*	There is no steering wheel or pedals.
*	The vehicle does not appear to have lower ISOFIX/LATCH child-seat anchors, meaning child seats would need to be secured using the seat belt.
*	Interior radar can detect passenger occupancy and identify situations involving children or rear-facing child seats.

3.	Exterior, Cargo, and Technology

*	Interactive RGB headlights can help guide passengers toward their assigned Cybercab.
*	The rear trunk provides approximately 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space and can accommodate roughly two to three medium-sized suitcases.
*	The cargo area is designed with washable surfaces for easier fleet maintenance.
*	A roof-mounted Starlink terminal provides continuous vehicle connectivity.
*	The Cybercab is designed for wireless inductive charging.
*	Aerodynamic wheel covers are used to improve efficiency.
*	There is no front trunk, or frunk.
*	The front section contains components such as wiring, HVAC equipment, and propulsion hardware.
*	The video suggests the Cybercab may use a relatively small 40-50 kWh battery pack.

4.	Real-World Autonomous Ride

*	Kim Java rides in the Cybercab through live Austin traffic without a safety driver.
*	The vehicle merges onto highways and navigates normal traffic conditions autonomously.
*	During the ride, the Cybercab encounters construction zones, jersey barriers, rain, highway merges, and emergency vehicles.
*	Passengers do not have traditional driving controls.
*	Emergency options include requesting that the vehicle pull over through the app or contacting Tesla remote support.

5.	Fleet Ownership Challenges

Several major operating expenses remain uncertain and could significantly affect profitability, including:

*	Tire replacement
*	Vehicle cleaning
*	Insurance
*	Charging costs
*	Charging downtime
*	Maintenance
*	Vehicle depreciation
*	Tesla platform fees

The video also raises the possibility that Tesla could impose fleet quality standards. Owners who fail to maintain acceptable cleanliness or vehicle condition could potentially lose access to the Tesla robotaxi network.

This would effectively make Cybercab ownership operate somewhat like a franchise, where Tesla controls the technology, platform, customer experience, and minimum operating standards.

6.	Tesla Is Still Testing

The video also shows Tesla development vehicles operating with steering wheels and safety drivers.

This suggests Tesla is continuing to collect data and validate the Cybercab platform even as fully driverless vehicles begin operating.

Bottom Line

The Cybercab could potentially create a new type of small fleet business in which individuals or companies purchase autonomous vehicles and place them on Tesla’s robotaxi network.

However, the difference between an attractive business opportunity and a marginal one will depend on factors that Tesla has not yet fully disclosed, particularly platform fees, insurance, cleaning, maintenance, charging costs, vehicle utilization, and downtime.

The video concludes that building a $1 million-per-year Cybercab business may be possible, but it would likely require a substantial fleet rather than just a handful of vehicles.

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