Drone flyover at Giga Texas shows what the Tesla Cybercab looks like and the pictures reveal a big surprise that the internet is trying to figure out
- Drone footage of the Cybercab being test-driven has been released
- There is a visible steering wheel, something Tesla fans were promised would not be a feature of the robotaxi
- Is Tesla changing its design or is there a straightforward explanation for this?
Published on Jan 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Jan 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Drone footage of the Tesla Cybercab being test-driven was just released, and it’s missing one of its most anticipated features.
Or rather, it’s not missing it.
While the autonomous taxi is still in its testing stages, Tesla has revealed key details stating it will not have a back window, pedals or a steering wheel.
But the Cybercab seen riding around Giga Texas appears to have a steering wheel, raising plenty of eyebrows and questions.
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What we know about the self-driving Tesla Cybercab so far
Tesla unveiled the self-driving cab in October 2024 at its We, Robot event, where attendees could ride it through the ‘streets’ of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
The company expects its robotaxis to completely revolutionize the way we travel and is currently undergoing rigorous testing at Giga Texas.
The car is simple yet striking: its barebones interior contrasts with its flashy gold exterior and butterfly doors.
Inside there are no pedals, so passengers are free to stretch out while they recline on the comfortable seats or play games on the only feature on the dashboard: a huge screen.
There are also only three buttons, as everything is controlled via voice or the screen, and no logos or badges because no one’s going to be confused as to who made this golden driverless car.
As Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen shared in a tour, there is also no rear window and only two seats, which means there is plenty of storage space.
One of the most exciting features, however, is the fact that it has no steering wheel.
Which is why, when drone footage emerged showing a cab being tested with what seems to be a steering wheel, the internet was not having it.
Will Tesla’s robotaxi have a steering wheel or not?
Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer shared scenes of a Cybercab undergoing testing at Giga Texas.
People were quick to notice a steering wheel visible on the car’s dashboard.
While Elon Musk is infamous for making bold yet unreliable promises (like the ever-changing Cybertruck release date), there could be a simple explanation for this.
Cybercab is set to start testing on public roads soon, but will need to do so with safety drivers before the autonomous function can be rolled out.
This means drivers will need to be ready to take over should things go awry, and they’ll need a steering wheel to do so.
So Musk will probably make good on his promise to have no steering wheel in the Cybercabs we’ll eventually be able to use.
Whether their surprisingly low price point and rollout date of 2027 will be honored, however, remains to be seen.
Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
