Tesla's Cybercab Has No Steering Wheel, But Hidden Virtual Joystick Emerges

When Tesla unveiled its Cybercab in Austin, Texas, the absence of a steering wheel and pedals was the headline. The vehicle was presented as fully autonomous, with no provision for human intervention. Yet within days of its public debut, passengers began noticing something unexpected: a virtual joystick tucked away in the interface.

The discovery suggests that Tesla has built a fallback control method into the Cybercab, even if it isn’t meant for everyday use. While details remain scarce, the joystick appears to be a software-based tool rather than a physical override. It’s unclear who can access it or under what circumstances.

For a vehicle marketed as steering-wheel-free, the presence of any manual control raises questions about redundancy and safety. Tesla has not commented on the feature, leaving observers to speculate about its purpose. What is clear is that the Cybercab’s design story is more layered than its minimalist cabin first suggested.