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Tesla Cybertruck futuristic aero wheel makes debut in Los Angeles unveiling event on Nov. 21, 2019 (Photo: Teslarati) Tesla Cybertruck futuristic aero wheel makes debut in Los Angeles unveiling event on Nov. 21, 2019 (Photo: Teslarati)

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Tesla’s Elon Musk jokes about Cybertruck taser defense system, but it’s not that far-fetched

Tesla Cybertruck futuristic aero wheel makes debut in Los Angeles unveiling event on Nov. 21, 2019 (Photo: Teslarati)

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently hinted at the possibility of adding a remote taser feature to the Cybertruck’s exterior cameras, which would be used to fend off intruders in the event of a break-in. While most likely a satirical response from the CEO, the use of a taser for self-defense is legal in 49 out of 50 U.S. states and could be effective if it is ever added to the Cybertruck.

The idea, when combined with his prior acknowledgment of adding the Boring Company’s “Not-a-Flamethrower,” makes the Cybertruck a nightmare for anyone who wants to break into the all-electric tank of a pickup.

After a Twitter follower stated that they would be interested in having a remote taser feature with the all-electric pickup, Musk stated that the idea has already been considered. What’s more, the CEO stated that the taser would be a standard addition on the Cybertruck.

Currently, the only state in the U.S. that completely prohibits the use of a taser or Stun Gun is Hawaii, according to Taser.com. The 49 other states all allow the use of a taser, with 38 of them carrying no legal restrictions, such as a permit to own, or to use for self-defense.

The Tesla Cybertruck is a durable and unique pickup that is unlike any other than comes before it. Its 300x rolled stainless steel exterior, combined with bulletproof glass, makes it one of the most robust and most durable vehicles ever created for consumer use. Surely, cosmetic damage to the Cybertruck will not be a worry for most owners, as the robust exterior will undoubtedly fend off any attempts of damaging the vehicle.

However, the Cybertruck will still be just as susceptible to break-in attempts as any other vehicle on the road. Intruders will likely look at the truck as a challenge to break into thanks to its very public specifications about its strength and durability. While Tesla’s Sentry Mode is still a prevalent feature across the globe, it has not stopped vandals and criminals from attempting to break into the company’s all-electric cars. Additional defense mechanisms would most certainly give the intruders a clue that the Cybertruck is the wrong vehicle to try to break into.

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Tesla Cybertruck with Laser Cannon (Credit: Hacksmith via Youtube)

While satirical, Musk’s announcement of this feature is undoubtedly an indication that Tesla owners and enthusiasts have some of the most refreshing ideas for the company’s vehicles. While the Cybertruck taser idea would undoubtedly fend off those with intentions of stealing belongings from the vehicle owner, Tesla owners in Hawaii would have to obtain a permit to use the feature, if it does come into fruition.

After all, Musk has a pretty good track record about making crazy projects real. The Boring Company’s Not-a-Flamethrower is living proof of that. Prior to its unveiling, pretty much everyone was sure that the Boring Company Flamethrower was just a joke. But lo and behold, it really wasn’t.

Technically, the use of the weapon is also permitted when protecting the belongings or property of an individual. This information is crucial and could mean that the Cybertruck’s taser-defense system is not only legal in 98% of the country, but could be useful in protecting owners from possible intrusions into their all-electric pickup.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla gathers Cybercab fleet in Gigafactory Texas

Images and video of the Cybercab fleet were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.

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Credit: Credit: @JoeTegtmeyer/X

Tesla appears to be assembling a growing number of Cybercabs at Gigafactory Texas as preparations continue for the vehicle’s mass production. Recent footage shared online has shown over 30 Cybercabs being transported by trucks or staged near testing areas at the facility.

The images and video were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer and drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.

Interestingly enough, Tegtmeyer noted that many of the Cybercabs being loaded onto transport trucks were still equipped with steering wheels. This suggests that the vehicles are likely testing units rather than the final driverless configuration expected for the company’s Robotaxi service.

The vehicles could potentially be headed to testing sites across the United States as Tesla prepares to expand its Robotaxi fleet.

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Additional footage captured at Gigafactory Texas also showed the Cybercab’s side and rear camera washer system operating as vehicles were being loaded onto transport trucks.

The growing number of Cybercabs at Giga Texas comes amidst the company’s announcement that the first production Cybercab has been produced at the facility. Full Cybercab production is expected to begin in April.

The vehicle is expected to play a central role in Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions as the company looks to expand autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond its early deployments using Model Y vehicles.

Tesla has also linked Cybercab production to its proposed Unboxed manufacturing process, which assembles large vehicle modules separately before integrating them. The approach is intended to reduce production costs and accelerate output.

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Musk has also noted that the Cybercab’s ramp will likely begin slowly due to the number of new components and manufacturing steps involved. However, he stated that once the process matures, Cybercab production could scale quickly.

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Elon Musk’s xAI, creator of Grok and Grokipedia, celebrates its third birthday

xAI Memphis highlighted several of its milestones over the years in its celebratory post. 

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Credit: xAI

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has marked its third anniversary. The update was shared in a post from the xAI Memphis account on social media platform X.

xAI Memphis highlighted several of its milestones over the years in its celebratory post

As per xAI, it has built three massive data centers in the city, launched a coherent cluster of 330,000 GBs, created over 3,000 jobs, and paid over $30 million in taxes to local communities.

xAI’s Memphis operation has become a key part of the company’s infrastructure as the company works to train and deploy its Grok artificial intelligence models. Elon Musk has been quite optimistic about Grok’s potential, noting in the past that the large language model might have a shot at achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). 

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xAI’s Memphis’ crown jewel is its Colossus supercomputer cluster. The project was announced in 2024 and has since become the home of one of the world’s largest AI compute facilities. The first phase of Colossus reached its initial 100,000 GPU operational milestone in just 122 days, or just about four months.

Industry figures such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have praised the facility, noting that projects of similar scale typically take two to four years to complete.

xAI has cited Memphis’ central location, skilled workforce, and industrial infrastructure as key reasons for selecting the city as the home of its AI training operations. The company has also emphasized plans to expand the site further as it scales compute capacity for Grok and future AI models.

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Tesla Sweden’s Megapack Supercharger near Arlanda continues to aggravate IF Metall union

The charging site, located in Arlandastad outside Stockholm, appears to be operating despite ongoing union blockade measures tied to Tesla’s labor dispute in the country.

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Credit: Tesla Charging/X

Tesla Sweden’s Megapack-powered Supercharger station near Arlanda Airport has continued to aggravate Swedish labor union IF Metall. The charging site, located in Arlandastad outside Stockholm, appears to be operating despite ongoing union blockade measures tied to Tesla’s labor dispute in the country.

Comments about the site were shared by IF Metall representatives in remarks to Swedish publication CarUp.

The Arlandastad location includes eight Tesla Superchargers powered by a Megapack battery system. Unlike traditional charging stations that rely on direct grid connections, the site uses a large battery installation to store electricity and power the chargers.

According to the Swedish publication, the setup allowed the station to come online despite sympathy measures from Sweden’s electricians’ union, which has attempted to prevent companies from cooperating with Tesla as part of the broader labor conflict.

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IF Metall press manager Jesper Pettersson indicated that the union was not aware that the Superchargers had already been connected and activated.

“We do not know the details around this. But it is further proof of how Tesla systematically finds loopholes to circumvent the sympathy measures through active strikebreaking. Every time this happens it gives us reason to sharpen our conflict measures,” Pettersson said.

Union representatives also noted that the Megapack appears to be charged using electrical cables routed through nearby terrain, though the exact power source remains under review.

The Megapack-powered site has then prompted questions from Swedish labor unions about how electricity is being supplied to the system.

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IF Metall has submitted a report to Sweden’s Energy Market Inspectorate asking the regulator to review whether the electricity supply arrangement complies with national regulations. The Megapack is reportedly charged using electricity from a local company, though the provider has not been publicly identified.

Peter Lydell, an ombudsman at IF Metall, previously stated that Swedish law limits electricity trading to companies with proper authorization.

“The legislation states that only companies that engage in electricity trading may supply electricity to other parties. You may not supply electricity without a permit, then you are engaging in illegal electricity trading. That is why we have reported this… 

“This is about a company that helps Tesla circumvent the conflict measures that exist. It is clear that it is troublesome and it can also have consequences,” Lydell said.

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IF Metall and Tesla Sweden’s conflict has been going on for over two years now. 

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