Tesla Cybercab Features On-Screen Joystick as Backup Steering Control
The autonomous vehicle lacks a physical steering wheel, relying on a digital interface for manual overrides.
Tesla’s Cybercab, designed as a dedicated autonomous robotaxi, will not feature a traditional physical steering wheel or pedals. Instead, the vehicle is equipped with a central touchscreen that displays a large on-screen joystick, serving as the primary manual control interface for passengers or safety operators.
What Happened
According to reports from InsideEVs, the interior of the Cybercab is minimalist, stripping away conventional automotive controls. The central display, which dominates the dashboard, includes a virtual joystick that allows users to steer the vehicle manually if necessary. This design choice aligns with Tesla’s stated goal of creating a vehicle optimized for Full Self-Driving (FSD) autonomy, where physical controls are considered redundant for the majority of operations.
Why It Matters
The reliance on a digital interface for manual control represents a significant shift in vehicle design and safety philosophy. For regulators and safety advocates, the absence of physical fallbacks like a steering wheel raises questions about emergency response times and usability during system failures. For consumers and the broader EV market, it signals Tesla’s commitment to a future where human driving is the exception rather than the rule, potentially influencing how other automakers approach interior design in autonomous-ready vehicles.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s Cybercab eliminates physical steering controls in favor of an on-screen joystick, a design that underscores the brand’s confidence in its autonomous technology while challenging traditional notions of vehicle safety and usability.
