Tesla Cybercab riders spot hidden virtual joystick meant for staff

Within days of the Cybercab’s public debut in Austin, Texas, riders posted videos showing a hidden virtual joystick on the vehicle’s central screen. The interface includes forward and reverse toggles, a stop button, horn activation, and door-open commands, positioned alongside live camera feeds that sometimes displayed frozen images. Analysts believe the controls are meant for Tesla staff or depot personnel to nudge the autonomous cab into confined areas, offering a workaround to calling the Cybercab control center.

The feature could also assist law-enforcement or emergency crews needing to move the vehicle quickly. Passengers who attempted to use the joystick were unable to steer the cab, indicating it may be disabled for public users or simply a software glitch. Tesla has briefed Austin police on the service, but it is not confirmed whether the manual option was part of that briefing.