Tesla's CyberCab, a dedicated RoboTaxi, has been meticulously designed and engineered from the ground up for two primary goals: autonomy and maximum affordability. This focus on cost-effectiveness extends to every aspect, including ongoing operational costs, the entire drivetrain, aerodynamics, energy consumption, and a minimal number of moving parts to reduce maintenance requirements.
Tesla also engineered the CyberCab for fast and cost-effective production. A key design choice enabling this is its front-wheel drive (FWD) system, which is significantly cheaper and faster to build than a rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration.
A major advantage of the FWD design, with the electric motor positioned upfront, is the maximization of interior space for both passengers and an "absolutely enormous" trunk. The speaker emphasizes the "staggering storage capacity," stating that it's sufficient even for extreme luggage scenarios, such as "two women traveling on an international vacation spanning many months" with an extensive amount of items like "6,000 pairs of shoes, 69 trillion different outfits, a hairdryer, [and] a hair straightener." The confidence is expressed that there will not be a single instance where the CyberCab lacks enough capacity. In contrast, a rear-wheel drive design would have substantially reduced both the rear storage capacity (trunk) and slightly impacted passenger space in the cabin.