Tesla’s latest gigacasting part spotted at Giga Texas has sparked speculation about its purpose, with industry experts suggesting it could be intended for the upcoming Cybercab autonomous vehicle, rather than an updated Model Y. Drone photographer Joe Tegtmeyer recently shared images of the new casting, prompting analysis from industry watcher Luca Greco.
Greco pointed to the “RTTX” label on storage racks at Giga Texas, which he believes could stand for “RoboTaxi Texas,” indicating that the new casting is likely designed for Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi. He noted that the design of the casting shows signs of optimization for size, weight, and efficiency, suggesting that it is a new platform rather than a refresh of existing castings.
“The casting is stripped down to the minimum and optimized for minimal material use,” Greco observed. He highlighted that Tesla has omitted the inner wheel arch in the design, opting for a thinner, stamped sheet instead of a thicker cast section. This not only saves weight but also simplifies the gigacasting process.
According to Greco, the new part may weigh under 50 kg, making it lighter than the rear underbody casting of the Model Y (~60 kg) and similar castings used in smaller Chinese vehicles. The leaner design also offers logistical advantages, as Tesla can now stack 10 castings per rack, doubling the capacity compared to Model Y parts and surpassing what is possible with Cybertruck castings.
In addition to its weight and efficiency benefits, the structural design of the new casting sets it apart from existing Model Y parts. Greco emphasized that it is highly unlikely for Tesla to introduce a new casting so soon after a recent update, indicating that this casting is part of a new platform altogether.
Interestingly, this same casting design was showcased during Tesla’s 2023 Investor Day, hinting at the company’s long-term planning and development strategy. With Tesla’s robotaxi network expected to launch in Austin this June, all eyes are on the company as it gears up for this major milestone. As Tesla prepares to release its Q1 earnings, the automotive world eagerly anticipates further details about the Cybercab and its innovative gigacasting technology.