Steering Wheel-less Robotaxi: Tesla Begins Cybercab Tests in Austin

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Tesla has begun test drives of its Cybercabs in Austin. The two-seater robotaxi now comes without a steering wheel and accelerator pedal and is expected to be sold to private customers soon. However, important questions remain unanswered.

In October 2024, Elon Musk presented a prototype of the Tesla Cybercab. The two-seater electric vehicle is designed to drive completely autonomously, eliminating the need for a steering wheel and accelerator pedal. The first production vehicle is expected to be produced in the Gigafactory in Texas by February 2026, with mass production starting two months later.

Cybercab: Tests Launched in Austin

However, the Cybercab may not yet be ready for fully autonomous driving. As Tesla announced via X, the first tests with a production vehicle began at the end of June 2026. A 27-second video shows a Cybercab autonomously driving through Austin with a person on board, reportedly a Tesla engineer.

So far, the Cybercab prototypes spotted on public roads were equipped with a steering wheel and accelerator pedal, as reported by insideevs.com. The absence of these controls in the current production vehicles could pose challenges for testers and future passengers.

Although the Cybercabs in robotaxi mode could be remotely controlled from a control center in case of emergencies—when they simply cannot proceed—Tesla aims to be the first manufacturer to sell fully autonomous electric vehicles to private drivers. It remains unclear whether these drivers will have the option to remotely control their stranded vehicle.

Who Controls in Case of Hardware or Software Failures?

Tesla has not commented on this yet. It is possible that there will be some option to connect an emergency controller, speculates insideevs.com. Or will the electric vehicle be controlled via the touchscreen? The video mentions an integrated safety monitor.

How this will work will become clear when the first fully autonomous Cybercabs are delivered to private individuals. According to Tesla, this should happen before the year 2027, specifically by the end of 2026. However, Tesla and Elon Musk are known for announcing very ambitious plans that often cannot be fulfilled.