Tesla Cybercab doesn’t have any manual controls — but it does have a virtual joystick
Tesla's new Cybercab features a hidden virtual joystick interface intended for employee use to maneuver the vehicle in tight spaces. While riders have discovered these controls, they appear to be non-functional for the general public, serving as a specialized tool for fleet management.
Why it matters
This discovery sheds light on the operational design of autonomous vehicles and how manufacturers manage manual overrides in steering-wheel-less cars.
The Tesla Cybercab is notable for what it lacks, namely a steering wheel and pedal. By design, there is no way for this vehicle to be manually controlled — or so we thought. Less than a week after the Cybercab was officially launched in Austin, Texas, some riders have discovered the Cybercab’s secret manual controls that appears to be intended only for Tesla employees.
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