Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab is once again turning heads, this time thanks to new videos and images showing the autonomous vehicle being tested on Austin highways and city streets — and a cheeky comment from Tesla itself that hints at its steering-wheel-free future.
The latest footage, shared by Tesla enthusiast @herbertong, shows the Cybercab cruising at highway speeds around Austin, giving a clear look at its ultra-futuristic design. Other sightings soon followed, including images of a Cybercab driving through downtown Austin’s 6th Street, where its massive 21-inch center console display and Cybertruck-like steering wheel were clearly visible.
But it was Tesla’s official Cybertruck account that stole the spotlight. Responding to praise about the Cybercab’s steering wheel, the account joked that it had let Cybercab borrow the wheel “since it won’t need it for long,” a remark that reinforces what Tesla has already teased: the Cybercab’s steering wheel is temporary.
When the Cybercab enters volume production, the vehicle is expected to ship without a steering wheel, pedals, or even side mirrors, relying entirely on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system to operate autonomously. The current hardware setup appears to be part of the validation process as Tesla continues to test the vehicle in real-world conditions.
The Cybercab is a purpose-built, two-seat, all-electric vehicle designed specifically for Tesla’s Robotaxi network. Once the service scales, Tesla plans to allow owners to add their own vehicles to the fleet, dramatically expanding ride availability without building every car itself.
Cybercab sightings had been relatively rare until late last year, with the first validation unit spotted on public roads in California in October. Since then, testing has expanded rapidly. The Cybercab was first seen on Austin streets last month, and at least eight Cybercabs are now operating across Austin and the Bay Area, signaling Tesla is in advanced stages of validation.
This surge in activity comes as Elon Musk has confirmed Cybercab volume production is expected to begin in April. With highway testing now underway and Tesla openly joking about ditching the steering wheel altogether, the Cybercab’s fully autonomous future appears closer than ever.
