I took Elon Musk's 'golden robot' for a test drive — and saw the Cybercab's strengths and weaknesses first-hand
A journalist test-drove Tesla's steering-wheel-less Cybercab in Austin, highlighting both its impressive autonomous maneuvering and the challenges of communicating with other drivers. The experience underscores the practical hurdles of removing human control from vehicles in complex traffic environments.
Why it matters
The transition to fully autonomous robotaxis without manual overrides raises significant questions about safety, social interaction on roads, and regulatory readiness.
Business Insider's Jan Klauth recently took a ride in a Tesla Cybercab. Jan Klauth No steering wheel…no problem? Tesla's Cybercab has hit the streets in Austin without a steering wheel or pedals. It competes directly against Uber and Waymo. Jan Klauth, a correspondent from Germany's Welt, took a test drive in the robotaxi. The woman in the car ahead of me pounds her steering wheel in frustration. Then she throws her arms in the air and finally leans on the horn. With an apologetic gesture (I must look like an idiot) I try to make clear to her: I cannot steer the car I'm sitting in the driver's seat of. Not even if I wanted to. A huge screen hangs in front of me, sure. What's missing, though, is a steering wheel, a dashboard, a gas pedal and a brake.
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