Social media was buzzing with excitement and laughter as Tesla CEO Elon Musk caused a stir by posting “Gonna happen :D” on X. These two simple words sparked a wave of funny memes and speculation among fans and followers. But what exactly do they mean?
The context behind Musk’s post lies in a challenge issued by long-time friend and Tesla retail investor Omar. The challenge involved YouTuber and tech influencer Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, who had promised to shave his head on camera if Elon Musk could deliver a $30,000 or less Robotaxi (Cybercab) to a customer before 2027.
Surprising everyone, on Tuesday (17th Feb), Tesla announced the production of its first Cybercab vehicle at Giga Texas. The official Tesla account proudly declared, “First Cybercab off the production line at Giga Texas,” confirming that progress towards MKBHD’s challenge was well underway.
The playful banter between Musk and MKBHD added an extra layer of excitement to the Cybercab robotaxi journey. Musk’s subsequent tweet reaffirming his commitment to delivering a $30,000 or less Cybercab/Robotaxi vehicle before 2027 only added fuel to the fire.
As the year progresses, all eyes will be on Tesla’s Cybercab and Full Self-Driving (FSD) progress. The pressure is on for Tesla’s AI team to ensure that the software is advanced enough to enable autonomous driving without a steering wheel, a key requirement for MKBHD to fulfill his promise of shaving his head on camera.
While Tesla employees were previously seen testing the Cybercab with a steering wheel, the ultimate goal is to eliminate it completely. One possibility is that Tesla may initially offer a version with a steering wheel in Texas, where regulatory approval may be easier to obtain.
In fact, Tesla is already conducting robotaxi services without human supervision in Austin, Texas, within a geofenced area. This limited-scale operation serves as a testing ground for Tesla’s AI neural nets, paving the way for future expansion of the service.
The announcement of Cybercab production at Giga Texas took many by surprise, as critics and analysts had not expected Tesla to move so quickly. With production set to ramp up starting in April 2026, Tesla aims to make the Cybercab a mainstream offering in the future.
Giga Texas, home to Model Y and Cybertruck production, is well-equipped to handle the Cybercab production ramp-up. The real challenge lies in ensuring that Tesla’s FSD technology meets the stringent safety and regulatory standards necessary for autonomous driving.
As Tesla navigates the road to delivering a $30,000 or less Cybercab before 2027, the journey promises to be filled with excitement and innovation. With Musk at the helm and MKBHD’s challenge hanging in the balance, the race towards a fully autonomous future is well underway.