Tesla Cybercabs Carry Passengers With No Steering Wheel
Wednesday, September 16, 2026175 words3 minutes1350 reads
Tesla has started using Cybercabs to carry passengers in limited parts of Austin, Texas. The two-seat vehicle was built for autonomous travel: it has no driver, steering wheel, brake pedal, or accelerator pedal. Riders can request it through Tesla’s Robotaxi app, although they may receive a different Tesla vehicle. Tesla says more than 40 Cybercabs have entered service.
The launch matters because Tesla has talked for years about self-driving taxis. Earlier Robotaxi rides used conventional Tesla vehicles with normal driving controls. Cybercab is the company’s purpose-built version, with butterfly-style doors and a large screen instead of traditional controls for a human driver.
On September 4, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Tesla’s self-certification of the Cybercab. Car companies normally certify that their vehicles meet federal standards, but regulators can review that claim.
The investigation has not found Cybercab unsafe. It focuses on whether the vehicle complies with rules that often mention equipment such as steering wheels, brake controls, and mirrors. Tesla says the standards that apply to the vehicle are met.
