Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the company's upcoming Cybercab robotaxi will not include a steering wheel or pedals in production units starting in Q2 2026. This decision emphasizes full autonomy, despite earlier speculation and testing with manual controls. Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm indicated the company would add such features if necessary.
On October 31, 2025, during an appearance on the All In Podcast, Elon Musk addressed speculation about the Tesla Cybercab's design, confirming that production vehicles will lack any manual controls. "We’re not putting a steering wheel in them," Musk said. He elaborated, "The reality is, people may think they want to drive their car, but the reality is that they don’t. How many times have you been in an Uber or Lyft and said ‘I wish I could take over for the driver, get off my phone, and drive to my destination? 0.0 times." This stance aligns with the Cybercab's role as an autonomy-focused two-seat robotaxi, priced around $25,000 to $30,000 and built using Tesla's "unboxed" manufacturing process to reduce costs.
Recent sightings of Cybercab prototypes on public roads included steering wheels and pedals, but these are for real-world testing purposes only. Earlier in the week, Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm suggested flexibility, stating the company would incorporate manual controls if required. Musk, however, dismissed the need, prioritizing a driverless future to phase out human operation.
The Cybercab's design could potentially serve dual purposes, doubling as Tesla's long-awaited affordable Model 2 electric vehicle. Analysts note this adaptability might help Tesla expand its lineup and maintain growth amid delays in robotaxi deployment. Musk has previously resisted cheaper EV ideas but later showed interest in variants with controls. Despite Denholm's conditional remarks, Musk's position carries significant weight as Tesla's CEO.