Tesla’s newly launched Cybercab robotaxi is showing an unexpected feature to riders: a virtual joystick on its central display that appears designed for manual control of the vehicle. Videos posted on X show the on-screen control appearing in the lower left corner of the dashboard, with a toggle for driving forward and reverse, plus buttons to stop the car, sound the horn, and open doors. The display also includes live camera views, though in one video the feed appeared frozen on a previous location. Riders who noticed the joystick tried to use it, but their attempts did not successfully move the vehicle.
The controls appear intended for Tesla employees and depot workers who may need to reposition Cybercabs at low speeds in tight spaces, such as parking lots. Because the Cybercab was built without traditional manual controls, Tesla needed a workaround for fleet staff to nudge vehicles without contacting a remote operations center. The same interface could theoretically aid law enforcement or emergency responders who need to move a stalled Cybercab off a road. Tesla has briefed Austin’s police department on the service, but it is unclear whether these manual controls were part of that discussion.
The appearance of the virtual joystick during customer rides is likely an early software bug, as the feature was not meant to be visible or active for passengers. Tesla’s design philosophy for the Cybercab is to eliminate manual driving hardware entirely, positioning the robotaxi as a vehicle that does not require human input. The company has promoted this as a move beyond what it views as outdated controls, even as the joystick suggests some manual assistance remains necessary behind the scenes.
The Cybercab’s public launch is only a few weeks old, and this is not the first issue to surface. The vehicle is already under investigation by regulators, according to separate reports, and early rider experiences have been documented in the first days of service. Tesla has not publicly commented on the joystick appearance or whether a fix is planned.
For U.S. riders and fleet operators, the joystick is a practical detail in a broader rollout that is being watched closely. Austin is the initial market for the service, and any glitch in the user interface could affect public confidence in a vehicle that relies entirely on automation. The presence of hidden manual controls, even if nonfunctional for passengers, highlights the gap between the company’s fully autonomous vision and the operational realities of running a robotaxi fleet.
Whether the control will be removed from customer displays or kept for authorized use remains to be seen. Tesla has not confirmed the purpose of the interface, and the company has not addressed whether the accidental appearance will delay expansion. For now, the joystick appears to be a minor but notable hiccup in the early days of a high-profile autonomous vehicle program.
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