Tesla’s Giga Texas factory is currently buzzing with activity despite a scheduled production shutdown. New aerial footage has provided our clearest look yet at the inner workings of the Cybercab, Tesla’s highly anticipated two-seat autonomous vehicle. While the factory floor undergoes upgrades to prepare for Cybercab mass production later this month, drone observers have spotted several units undergoing rigorous testing.
According to veteran Tesla watcher Joe Tegtmeyer, about 12 Cybercabs were seen at the crash testing facility this week. Tegtmeyer noted, "Fantastic short video clip with a unique view of a Cybercab at the Giga Texas crash testing facility today showing what it looks like under the front hood." This top-down view shows that the Cybercab, as expected, won't actually have a traditional storage "frunk." Instead, the front compartment is packed with the vehicle's vital organs.
Fantastic short video clip with a unique view of a Cybercab at the Giga Texas crash testing facility today showing what it looks like under the front hood We can also see what the open door looks like from above too.
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) March 30, 2026
In total about 12 Cybercabs were at the crash testing facility… pic.twitter.com/j46tBFzcoH
The Secret of the Massive Liquid Tank
The most striking discovery under the hood is an oversized fluid reservoir to serve both the windshield wiper and camera washers. Since the Cybercab is designed for fully unsupervised operation, maintaining clear "eyes" is a safety requirement. Tesla has equipped the vehicle with a dedicated washer for every external camera — totaling seven — alongside the standard windshield sprayer.
The front compartment also appears to house hardware used to pressurize this fluid for the camera washers and likely contains the HVAC system. By moving the climate control components from behind the dashboard into the front bay, Tesla has managed to maximize the legroom for passengers. Since the Cybercab features a large rear trunk for storage (which, by the way, also has a camera to alert riders when they leave something behind), using the front space for internals rather than luggage is a practical trade-off for a dedicated robotaxi.
Confirming the Drive Configuration
Interestingly, the layout of the components under the hood all but confirms that the Cybercab will be front-wheel drive. This is a bit of a surprise for enthusiasts, as the vehicle was recently spotted with a staggered wheel setup featuring larger wheels in the rear, which usually indicates a rear-wheel drive configuration.
Inside the cabin, Tesla is keeping things minimalist. Almost every function is handled through a massive 21-inch touchscreen, though the car does debut a new one-button door release that combines electronic and manual latches.
Preparing for the April Launch
The current production halt at Giga Texas is the "calm before the storm." Tesla is retooling and upgrading lines to move from engineering prototypes to mass-market assembly. With eight engineering units already spotted in the outbound lot — distinguishable by the blue tape on their mirror mounts — it is clear that real-world fleet testing is already happening.
As mass production kicks off this month, the Cybercab is set to become the backbone of Tesla's autonomous future. By designing a car that can clean its own sensors and maximize interior comfort, Tesla is proving that the transition to a driverless world is less about the steering wheel and more about what's hidden under the hood.
