On the 20th of January 2025, a Tesla CyberCab was photographed at Giga Texas and the information triggered quite a controversy in the Tesla circles. The design of this CyberCab has been previously seen as an AI car that can precede on its own, and hence there have been questions about the intent of that creation especially over the presumed existence of a steering wheel.
This sighting makes you wonder if the company is committed to offering fully self-driving cars and if that wheel is just left in place for testing purposes, or if they need it to meet certain legal requirements.
The Sighting and Speculation
The CyberCab itself is a robotaxi model that was first shown in the fall of 2024 and has no provisions for a driver to control it; there is no steering wheel or brake/accelerator pedals. Nevertheless, during the latest tests at Giga Texas, people saw an object that looked like a steering wheel inside the car. This has triggered the development of divergent opinions among the two parties, the fans, and the industry analysts and reviewers. For some, it could be a shadow or even a seatbelt, for others, it says that Tesla may be retreating from its ambitious goal of full autonomy.
Back in June, Elon mentioned that the Tesla team was using the FSD beta mode without supervision, which means that even when human intervention is involved, the car itself is on its own. This in turn provokes other questions regarding the existence of conventional controls where a vehicle promises full autonomy of driving.
Almost as if celebrating the Presidential Inauguration, Star-Spangled Bannered @Tesla Cybercab testing was underway today at Giga Texas … the all American & Texan Robotaxi Fleet starts here! @omead @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/GV8t4p2TvC
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) January 20, 2025
Autonomous Aspirations vs. Reality
Current designs of the CyberCab also show plans for the future where passengers can recline and watch as their vehicle drives through cities on its own. Still, doubts can be made whether this image is practicable nowadays. Tesla’s critics use the timeline previously missed assurances on the subject of autonomy to ask if the company is ready to meet its new promises.
The CyberCab is to have a butterfly and optimized cabin and interior for passenger comfort and easy access. Still, potting the possibility of a steering wheel in testing scenarios could mean Tesla is a coverlet bet against regulator barriers or safety issues. Traditional controls may be required to meet the current legal requirements while at the same time, the company may be undertaking efforts towards achieving full autonomy.
Market Implications and Future Prospects
The CyberCab is positioned as an affordable alternative to traditional ride-hailing services, with estimates suggesting it could be priced under $30,000. Such a pricing strategy correlates with Musk’s vision to bring truly autonomous transportation to everyone. However, continuous discourses on the design and practical use of the product may affect the confidence of consumers and the market in general.
As competition in the autonomous vehicle sector intensifies, it becomes even harder for Tesla to compete with already existing key players such as Waymo and emerging startups. The appearance of a steering wheel in testing might be considered a recognition of these problems and an attempt to make CyberCab as safe and reliable as possible before it starts appearing on the roads.
Therefore, the recent spotting of the Tesla CyberCab at Giga Texas has spurred debates on the possibility of self-driving cars. Despite constant reinvention through new designs and grand plans of a world with no traditional steering and pedals, there is little doubt whether Tesla is capable of providing level 5 AVs without Bahandnd’s control.
While testing continues and ultimately production is set, much of the automotive sector awaits to see if Tesla is capable of delivering on the incredible promises or if the company is going to have to alter its strategy to accommodate newly realized requirements due to legislation and consumer preferences.
