Virtual Joystick Appears in Steering Wheel-Free Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi

Less than 1 week after the Tesla Cybercab officially launched in Austin, a hidden virtual control panel was discovered on the robotaxi’s screen. The vehicle, which has no steering wheel or pedals, was designed as a fully autonomous vehicle. However, during the first passenger rides, a virtual joystick that appeared to be intended only for employees opened on the screens of some users.

Videos shared on X by at least 2 passengers indicate that the joystick was designed to control the vehicle. A square panel appears in the lower-left corner of the center screen, with a button in the middle for switching to manual control. A “forward” option is located at the top of the panel, while a “reverse” option appears at the bottom. Separate buttons are also shown for stopping the vehicle, sounding the horn, and manually opening the doors.

Live camera feeds appear on the right side of the panel. In one of the videos, the image remained frozen on the Tesla Supercharger station where the vehicle had previously been. These controls are believed to have been designed not for customers but for Tesla employees and depot workers. The panel could allow them to move a robotaxi without a steering wheel around a parking lot at low speed and maneuver it into a tight space.

This feature could help employees reposition vehicles in a parking lot without sending a request to Tesla’s control center or calling a remote operator. Police officers and emergency responders could also use it to move a stranded Tesla Cybercab to the side of the road. Tesla briefed the Austin Police Department about the robotaxi service. However, it is not known whether the virtual control panel was discussed during that conversation.

Customers who saw the panel tried to control the vehicle with the virtual joystick, but the system did not respond. It is unclear whether this was because the feature was blocked for passengers or because the panel was not used correctly. The virtual panel appearing during a regular ride may be an early software glitch. There is no information about whether the panel will be removed from passenger screens before the service expands.