Tesla has given its Cybercab a new connectivity upgrade, with a gold prototype showing how Starlink could be built directly into the roof of its purpose-built robotaxi.
The first images came from Tesla’s Robotaxi account on X, which described it as the first Cybercab with Starlink integration. Photographed at Gigafactory Texas, the car has a low-profile satellite antenna fitted neatly into the rear section of the roof.
We already had an idea of where the hardware would sit, as Tesla showed a cutaway image of the setup in July. That preview revealed Starlink V5 integrated directly into the Cybercab, but this is the first time we have seen the hardware fitted to an actual car.
Starlink V5 supports download speeds of up to 375Mbps, which should provide plenty of bandwidth for passengers while they are on the move. Streaming, gaming and other online activities are obvious possibilities, with Elon Musk also pointing to 4K video as one potential use.
Importantly, the Starlink connection is not what allows the Cybercab to drive itself. Tesla AI executive Ashok Elluswamy has said the connection is mainly intended for navigation, customer service and fleet management. This means the car does not need a constant satellite connection to operate safely.
That extra connection could still become useful when a Cybercab moves through areas where 5G or LTE coverage is weak. Starlink would give Tesla another way to keep vehicles connected to its wider network, while also providing passengers with internet access when cellular service drops out.
Cybercab itself is Tesla’s two-seat robotaxi designed without a steering wheel or pedals, and production has now started at Gigafactory Texas. Tesla confirmed the milestone in its latest quarterly update as it continues expanding its Robotaxi operations in the US.
The gold finish might be what catches your eye first, but the Starlink hardware is the more interesting part here. It gives us a clearer look at how Tesla plans to keep Cybercab connected as its dedicated robotaxi moves closer to wider use.