TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla began a nationwide showcase of its prototype Cybercab, touring each major Australian city for a week and drawing crowds of curious onlookers at showrooms such as the Mt Gravatt Tesla outlet in Brisbane. While the vehicle remains behind fences and unavailable for purchase, the tour has sparked a rare alliance between the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and ride‑hailing giant Uber, both lobbying state and federal governments to shape the rollout of autonomous robotaxis. The TWU, representing over 60,000 taxi and rideshare workers, warns of job losses and demands mandatory safety operators, retraining and compensation. Uber, fearing competition from Alphabet’s Waymo, is pushing a hybrid model that mixes driver‑less cars with human drivers to slow pure‑robotaxi deployment. Regulators face an estimated 700 rules to clear before any driverless service can launch, with officials like New South Wales premier Chris Minns publicly endorsing the technology despite safety concerns.