Tesla Cybercab Uses On-screen Joystick to Control Vehicle Manually [VIDEO]

Hidden on-screen joystick for manual control appears in a Tesla Cybercab

A rider in Austin boarded a Tesla Cybercab and unexpectedly saw a developer interface with a virtual joystick and other controls intended for internal use. The Cybercab’s cabin omits a steering wheel, turn stalks, and floor pedals because it is designed for driverless operation.

@MatthewSkrzypc1 encountered the diagnostic screen during a routine trip and shared a video of the interface.

“When I got in the vehicle, the display was in a different configuration with a virtual joystick for manual driving! I have a feeling I wasn’t supposed to see this… but I try to manually drive the vehicle anyway!”

Weird #cybercab situation! When I got in the vehicle, the display was in a different configuration with a virtual joystick for manual driving! I have a feeling I wasn’t supposed to see this… but I try to manually drive the vehicle anyway! 😂 @wholemars @DirtyTesLa @DavidMoss… pic.twitter.com/mQsoDFDbEJ

— Matthew Skrzypczak (@MatthewSkrzypc1) September 7, 2026

Riders are not meant to see this screen. While the Cybercab is built to drive itself, the interface provides a way for service technicians or validation testers to move the vehicle when needed. These on-screen driving controls were also observed recently when a validation tester repositioned a Cybercab at a Supercharger in Austin, and this latest sighting offers a closer look at the software’s layout.

Robotaxi with NO DRIVER and NO WHEEL parking at a supercharger here in Austin Texas!!! pic.twitter.com/syhLquvjCb

— Caleb Barry (@BarryGoodStocks) August 30, 2026

Virtual joysticks and brake buttons

The screen resembles a debugging interface rather than the passenger entertainment UI. A circular virtual joystick on the left controls steering angle. Pressing and holding the joystick while sliding up or down manages forward and reverse throttle, and sliding left or right turns the vehicle. Additional on-screen buttons operate the brake, horn, and cabin doors. It is unclear whether manual driving via this interface has a speed limit.

Although the passenger could tap and drag the joystick and the visual controls responded, the car did not move. This suggests a software glitch exposed the screen and the system did not switch back to passenger mode before the ride. For safety, backend systems appear to block unauthorized riders from engaging the drive motors through the interface.

A fallback for necessary edge cases

Steering from the center display with touch controls is impractical for normal commuting, but the Cybercab is not intended for human driving. The two-seat vehicle was engineered around Level 4 autonomy, which was demonstrated for the first time at a recent launch event in Austin. In practice, service and depot teams still need a way to nudge vehicles into precise positions for repairs, small parking adjustments, or loading onto flatbeds if sensors are obstructed. Touchscreen-based controls provide that capability without adding traditional driving hardware.

Now that Cybercabs are offering public Robotaxi rides across Austin, software updates will likely secure these developer menus to prevent riders from encountering them.