First look at Tesla Cybercab’s steering: a Cybertruck wheel bolted on
Tesla Cybercabs have begun operating in New York City, but the fleet faces conflicting reports regarding steering hardware and safety compliance. While some units lack steering wheels, pedals, and mirrors, other vehicles reportedly feature Cybertruck steering wheels bolted on. This inconsistency has triggered an audit by US safety regulators of approximately 1,000 cars. Additionally, Texas fire departments have raised concerns about the lack of steering wheels, and reports indicate a software glitch recently disabled a robotaxi ride.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ US safety regulators opened an audit of about 1,000 cars regarding Tesla's self-certification.
- ✓ Texas fire departments expressed concern over the lack of steering wheels in the Cybercab.
- ✓ Cybercabs have begun operating on the streets of New York City.
What changed
US safety regulators opened an audit of 1,000 cars and reports emerged of some Cybercabs using bolted-on Cybertruck wheels.
Live updates
-
Tesla Cybercab faces safety scrutiny and steering wheel contradictions
Tesla Cybercabs have begun operating in New York City, but the fleet faces conflicting reports regarding steering hardware and safety compliance. While some units lack steering wheels, pedals, and mirrors, other vehicles reportedly feature Cybertruck steering wheels bolted on. This inconsistency has triggered an audit by US safety regulators of approximately 1,000 cars. Additionally, Texas fire departments have raised concerns about the lack of steering wheels, and reports indicate a software glitch recently disabled a robotaxi ride.
Why it matters
The Cybercab represents Tesla's move toward full autonomy, promising a vehicle without manual controls. This shift creates tension with emergency responders who rely on manual steering to move vehicles during accidents. The regulatory audit examines Tesla's self-certification process for these vehicles.
What is confirmed
- US safety regulators opened an audit of about 1,000 cars regarding Tesla's self-certification.
- Texas fire departments expressed concern over the lack of steering wheels in the Cybercab.
- Cybercabs have begun operating on the streets of New York City.
Still unconfirmed
- Many Cybercabs actually have steering wheels, contradicting core promises.
What to watch next
- Results of the US safety regulator audit of 1,000 vehicles
- Official Tesla response to Texas fire department safety concerns
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (11)
- NBC News — Tesla Cybercab draws concern from Texas fire department over lack of steering wheel
- Gothamist — Autonomous Tesla Cybercabs hit the streets of New York City
- Gadget Review — Tesla Removed the Steering Wheel. Now Firefighters Have Questions.
- Car and Driver — Tesla Reinvents the Steering Wheel Once Again with Hidden Cybercab Joystick Controls
- MotorTrend — A Software Glitch Took Down Our Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi Ride
- Electrek — First look at Tesla Cybercab’s steering: a Cybertruck wheel bolted on
- Futurism — Firefighters Say There’s a Glaring Issue With Tesla’s Cybercab
- Yahoo Finance — Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch Wasn’t the Moment Investors Expected
- Futurism — There’s a Huge Economic Problem With Tesla’s Cybercabs
- Futurism — Oops! Many Tesla Cybercabs Actually Do Have Steering Wheels, Undercutting a Core Promise
- The Times of India — Elon Musk's Cybercab has no steering wheel, pedals or mirrors; US safety regulators open audit of about 1,000 cars over Tesla's self-certification
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community