Tesla's fully autonomous Cybercab, which launched without a steering wheel or pedals, contains a hidden virtual joystick control system discovered by riders less than a week after its Austin debut. The manual override appears to be intended exclusively for Tesla employees.
The Tesla Cybercab was designed as a fully autonomous vehicle with no traditional manual controls—no steering wheel, no accelerator or brake pedals. However, videos posted on X by Cybercab riders reveal the vehicle contains a virtual joystick interface that allows manual vehicle control.
The discovery occurred within days of the Cybercab's official launch in Austin, Texas. At least two separate videos show passengers encountering the joystick control system during rides. The feature's existence contradicts Tesla's initial positioning of the vehicle as completely self-driving with no manual override capability.
Based on available evidence, the virtual joystick appears to be a hidden feature intended for Tesla employees rather than general ridership. The system's purpose remains unclear—it could serve as an emergency failsafe, a testing tool, or a safety feature for specific situations.
This discovery raises questions about the Cybercab's autonomous capabilities and safety protocols. The presence of manual controls, even if restricted to employees, suggests Tesla maintains backup systems for situations where the autonomous driving system may require human intervention.
Tesla has not publicly commented on the virtual joystick's existence or its intended use. The company has positioned the Cybercab as a fully self-driving vehicle without human intervention, making the discovery of manual controls noteworthy for both product transparency and autonomous vehicle safety discussions.
The Cybercab represents Tesla's vision for fully autonomous ride-hailing, but the discovery of hidden manual controls highlights the practical complexities of deploying fully autonomous vehicles in real-world conditions.
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