Tesla Cybercab Spotted With Cybertruck Steering Wheel

A pre-production Tesla Cybercab has been observed parked on a street in Berkeley, California, providing the clearest visual evidence to date of how Tesla has integrated a steering mechanism into a vehicle initially designed without one. The photographs, shared with Electrek by a reader named Adam Machacek, reveal a steering wheel characteristic of the Tesla Cybertruck. This Cybertruck-style wheel is mounted onto an exposed steering column that has been affixed to the interior of the two-seat robotaxi. This sighting offers a significant update on the development of Tesla's autonomous vehicle ambitions, particularly concerning the Cybercab, which is intended to operate as a fully autonomous taxi service. The presence of a physical steering wheel, even in a prototype, raises questions about the final design and operational strategy for the Cybercab, especially in light of Tesla's previous statements and demonstrations that emphasized a yoke-style steering control or a complete absence of manual controls for its autonomous fleet. The Cybertruck's steering wheel is known for its unconventional hexagonal shape and lack of a traditional circular rim, a design choice that has drawn both praise and criticism. Its inclusion in the Cybercab prototype suggests a potential interim solution or a deliberate design choice to retain manual override capabilities, even if primarily intended for autonomous operation. The exposed nature of the steering column further indicates that this is an early-stage prototype, allowing for adjustments and testing of the steering system. Tesla has been developing its autonomous driving technology for years, with the goal of deploying a fleet of robotaxis. The Cybercab is expected to be a key component of this strategy, leveraging Tesla's advanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. The specific details of the steering column's integration and its functionality remain unclear from the provided images, but the visual confirmation of a steering wheel is a notable development. This sighting comes at a time when the autonomous vehicle industry is facing increased scrutiny and regulatory challenges. Tesla's approach to autonomous driving, particularly its reliance on camera-based systems and its FSD Beta program, has been a subject of ongoing debate among experts and regulators. The Cybercab, once operational, is expected to compete with other autonomous ride-hailing services from companies like Waymo and Cruise. The design choices made for the Cybercab, including its steering system, will likely be closely watched as the company moves towards production and deployment. The Cybertruck itself, which shares design elements with the Cybercab, has also undergone significant design evolution since its initial unveiling. The integration of the Cybertruck's steering wheel into the Cybercab prototype suggests a potential cross-pollination of design and engineering solutions between Tesla's different vehicle programs. Further details regarding the Cybercab's interior and its operational features are anticipated as Tesla continues its development and testing phases.