GoKawiilTesla's Cybercabs Spotted in NYC With Steering Wheels, Contradicting Robotaxi Vision
Tesla vehicles branded as Cybercabs have appeared on New York City streets equipped with steering wheels and human drivers, a stark contrast to the pedal-free, wheel-free design Elon Musk showcased in 2024. Officials say the cars are running a 'supervised' self-driving system that requires a person ready to take control at any moment, and Tesla has not disclosed how many vehicles are involved or how long the testing will last. The company has also not applied for autonomous vehicle testing permits with New York's DMV, suggesting this is a data-gathering exercise rather than a service launch.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The presence of manual controls undercuts one of Tesla's signature promises: a fully autonomous vehicle built without traditional driving equipment. It highlights how far Tesla's robotaxi ambitions remain from reality, especially as competitors like Waymo already operate hundreds of thousands of driverless paid rides weekly. The gap raises questions about the timeline and credibility of Tesla's broader autonomy claims that have driven investor optimism.
- Tesla's NYC Cybercabs use steering wheels and human drivers, unlike the original design.
- The vehicles run a supervised self-driving system, not full autonomy.
- Tesla hasn't filed for NY autonomous testing permits, signaling data collection rather than service launch.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 — While we wait for truly driverless cabs, a human still has to watch the road inside those supervised Cybercabs inside and a compact dash cam quietly records every mile of your own commute. The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 tucks behind the mirror so it stays out of your view, and its footage is handy if anything odd happens in traffic.
See Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: futurism.com — Victor Tangermann, 2026-09-12
Published there as: “Oops! Many Tesla Cybercabs Actually Do Have Steering Wheels, Undercutting a Core Promise”
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