66 Kuka robots have reportedly arrived at Giga Texas
New York Times
For those who are on the reserve list for Tesla’s Cybertruck, you may want to start collecting your money for payment. If you’re looking for a sign, we have three of them. First, a leaked photo of a Cybertruck in production; second, the Giga press arrived; third, proof that a significant shipment of industrial robots was delivered to Tesla’s Texas factory.
According to Twitter user @greggertruck, 66 production line robots arrived in Houston one week before Christmas. The post is complete with pictures of the bill of lading showing the shipment originated at Kuka Deutschland, destined for the Tesla Gigafactory in Texas.
Kuka, headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, is a global leader in supplying intelligent automated solutions. The company’s robots are used on Tesla production lines around the world.
Excitement is ramping up over the highly anticipated vehicle. During the third quarter earnings call, Elon Musk told investors, “We’re in the final lap for Cybertruck,” and said production would start in mid-2023. Indeed, there could be some doubters considering when Tesla first unveiled the futuristic-looking vehicle in 2019, it was to be on the road in 2021. After several delays, here we are, piecing together bills of lading and leaked photos to confirm that one of the coolest-looking trucks ever to be produced is closer to reality.
If these three clues weren’t enough, Tesla’s careers board is filling up with Cybertruck related job-titles. There are currently 15 jobs open at the Austin, Texas location, including the word: Cybertruck. Robotics Engineer, Dimensional Engineer, Manufacturing Operation Leader, Process Engineer and the list goes on. Although, if you’ve been following Musk’s takeover of Twitter, you know he doesn’t hire people to sit around. The company plans to fill these positions and start producing soon.
Cybertruck is the most significant news circulating Tesla these days, other than the substantial reduction in the stock price. The leaked photo appeared on Kim Java’s YouTube channel earlier this month. The most prominent spoiler, it seems the rumored midgate behind the back seats is not part of the design that will be in production. Java also said there were 4680 battery cell production issues, and the company is struggling to scale up.
There was also a lot of excitement about a possible smaller Cybertruck after a sketch appeared at the Peterson Museum of a two-door version. However, that doesn’t seem to be in the works. Tesla representatives have said the vehicle being worked on is only slightly smaller than the one originally on the stage in 2019.
66 Kuka robots have reportedly arrived at Giga Texas
@greggertruck
The $100 reserve tickets people have been holding on to for years may soon be exchanged for a vehicle, of course, after the buyer pays the additional undetermined amount to own the Cybertruck.
Tesla’s latest FSD update, version 2024.27.5 brings some improvements when parking your vehicle. This is another undocumented, but one we’re happy to see.
Most recently, the Cybertruck received the undocumented change for the Hands-Free Frunk opening (video below). The Cybertruck also recently received Vision Park Assist, which included steering wheel guides in the visualization showing the direction the front and rear wheels were turned. However, it turns out this isn’t just for the Cybertruck.
Update: We’ve updated this article to mention that this feature isn’t included in update 2024.32 yet.
Quick video on the auto frunk. It's literally 🧍♂️📐
Due to the Cybertruck’s unique rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire design, Park Assist in the Cybertruck displayed the path of the front wheels, and how they would swing while reversing.
This enhancement is also coming to every Tesla vehicle in FSD 12.5.2 and later. It’s also expected to be available in a future update for non-FSD vehicles. However, it’s unclear whether it will be a later revision of update 2024.32 or the next major Tesla update. This is a neat little update, as it helps drivers better understand and predict the path their vehicle will take during a turn.
Brandon, going by @teslaflexx on X, originally spotted the new visuals recently on an AMD-based Model Y running 2024.27.5 and FSD V12.5.2.
Any vehicles who are on update 2024.27.5 or 2024.27.20 should have access to this new feature.
Looks like Cybertruck wasn’t the only vehicle to get the new guide visuals with park assist. Much better than the lines! pic.twitter.com/tF9ZsWCcWy
Tesla’s Cybertruck has been used as an awesome off-road vehicle so far, with some great videos from both Tesla themselves, as well as many owners who have been challenging difficult off-road obstacles.
One frequently requested feature, however, is additional armor for the Cybertruck to improve its off-road capabilities. Wes Morril, Program Manager for the Cybertruck, has confirmed that Tesla will be introducing Battery Armor and Rock Sliders as retrofit “options” by the end of 2024.
Battery Armor
The Cybertruck’s underbody plate, while not completely unarmoured, isn’t exactly super thick, and can leave the battery exposed if the weight of the truck is left on a high-center point or a sharp rock. This upcoming battery armor will be similar to the armored undersides offered by other companies specifically for off-roading.
Rivian, for example, sells armor as a single package for $3,950 USD, or $5,800 CAD, along with a 20” wheel upgrade, full-size spare, and a utility panel including an air compressor and enough hose to let you reach any of the tires when airing up or down your tires for off-road. Tesla’s upcoming Battery Armor will be a retrofit option, unlike Rivian’s – which can only be added when purchasing the vehicle.
Rock Sliders
The Cybertruck has a simple and clean bottom corner – but that also means that it exposes the plastic trim directly. Rock sliders go on the bottom edge of off-road vehicles between the wheels to protect the vehicle's body. Rock sliders are a pretty common modification, and some companies have already begun to offer them for the Cybertruck – but a first-party OEM option is always best.
This is especially true since most third-party options use the lift points of the vehicle to attach rock sliders, which can make replacing wheels or lifting the vehicle difficult without removing the third-party additions. This adds considerable time to what should be a quick job.
Release Date
We’re looking forward to Tesla bringing these options to the Tesla store in the coming months. Wes said they’d be available as retrofits before the end of 2024, along with the upcoming Winter Tire Package, which is arriving next month. The Winter Tire Package is already available to order for Cybertruck owners.
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