Automotive
Tesla Cybercab features hidden touchscreen joystick for emergency driving, reports say
Tesla's steering-wheel-free Cybercab robotaxi includes an on-screen emergency control interface, according to Jalopnik.
The short version
- Tesla's newly deployed Cybercabs in Austin, Texas, include a hidden touchscreen joystick for manual operation during emergencies.[Jalopnik]
- Autonomous driving figures found the virtual interface, though neither successfully moved the vehicle, and Tesla documentation says first responders must verify credentials with support to access controls.[Jalopnik]
- Federal auto safety regulators opened an investigation into whether the robotaxis are sufficiently safe for public roads following their Austin deployment.[Jalopnik]
Key facts
- Tesla Cybercab robotaxis deployed in Austin, Texas, feature a hidden touchscreen joystick for emergency manual maneuvering.[Jalopnik]
- Tesla's emergency documentation specifies that first responders must contact support and provide credential verification to unlock manual controls.[Jalopnik]
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a safety investigation into the Cybercabs after their launch on Austin roads.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unverified whether non-credentialed riders can independently activate and operate the touchscreen joystick after early testers were unable to steer the vehicle.[Jalopnik]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.