Autonomous Tesla Cybercabs hit the streets of New York City

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Tesla Cybercab faces routing delays and design scrutiny

   Tesla has deployed Cybercabs featuring a golden design and no steering wheel or brake pedals. Recent reports indicate significant routing inefficiencies, including a 10-minute trip in Austin that took 70 minutes because the vehicles cannot use highways. This follows a rollout in New York City where the service faces criticism over pricing inconsistencies and safety concerns from firefighters. While Tesla claims the service is cheaper than Uber, some fares have cost twice as much as competitors.

   Why it matters

   Tesla marketed these vehicles as fully autonomous. The absence of manual controls creates tension with emergency responders and raises questions about operational reliability in urban environments.

   What is confirmed

   • The Cybercab lacks a steering wheel and brake pedal.
   • The vehicle features a golden design.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A 10-minute trip to the Domain in Austin became a 70-minute detour.
   • Cybercabs cannot use highways.

   What to watch next

   • Resolution of pricing discrepancies compared to Uber.
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. electrek.co — Tesla Cybercab turns 10-minute Austin trip into 70-minute detour
   2. www.businessinsider.com — I took Elon Musk's 'golden robot' for a test drive — and saw the Cybercab's strengths and weaknesses first-hand
   confidence 80%
2. 4d ago

   Tesla Cybercabs Begin New York City Operations Amid Control Controversy

   Tesla has deployed autonomous Cybercabs in New York City. While marketed as vehicles that do not need manual controls, reports indicate the cars feature hidden joystick controls. The rollout faces scrutiny from firefighters over the removal of steering wheels and reports of software glitches causing ride failures. Pricing remains inconsistent, with some fares costing twice as much as competitors despite claims that the service can be 50% cheaper than Uber.

   Why it matters

   The Cybercab represents Tesla's shift toward a dedicated robotaxi fleet without traditional driver interfaces. This transition creates friction with emergency responders who rely on steering wheels for vehicle recovery. The deployment tests Tesla's autonomous software in one of the world's most complex urban environments.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Tesla Cybercabs contain secret manual joystick controls.
   • A software glitch caused a Tesla Cybercab robotaxi ride to fail.
   • Firefighters have raised questions regarding the removal of the steering wheel.
   • Cybercab pricing is sometimes twice as expensive as Uber despite claims it can be 50% cheaper.

   What to watch next

   • Official response from Tesla regarding the existence of hidden manual controls
   • Public safety guidelines issued by NYC fire departments for Cybercab emergencies
   • Data on ride failure rates due to software glitches
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. MotorTrend — The Tesla Cybercab—Which ‘Doesn’t Need Manual Controls’— Has Secret Manual Controls
   2. Gothamist — Autonomous Tesla Cybercabs hit the streets of New York City
   3. Gadget Review — Tesla Removed the Steering Wheel. Now Firefighters Have Questions.
   4. Car and Driver — Tesla Reinvents the Steering Wheel Once Again with Hidden Cybercab Joystick Controls
   5. Yahoo Finance — Tesla's Cybercab Can Be 50% Cheaper Than Uber—So Why Is It Sometimes Twice as Expensive?
   6. USA Today — I spotted the new Tesla Cybercab robotaxi. Here's what surprised me
   7. MotorTrend — A Software Glitch Took Down Our Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi Ride
   confidence 70%