Tesla Robotaxi App Gets Exclusive Features: Coming to Tesla App?

As vehicles move toward full autonomy and lose traditional cockpit controls, the center touchscreen often becomes the sole physical interface. To reduce the need for passengers to reach forward, Tesla has expanded its dedicated Robotaxi mobile app into a comprehensive in-cabin remote.

The capability drew attention on X when community member @Dannyijbol shared video from @OwenSparks showing the app in use during a Cybercab ride.

The mobile remote features debuted earlier this month to prepare for the official start of Cybercab rides on the Robotaxi network. Cybercab started offering public passenger rides in Austin just a day after these features went live in the app, letting riders relax and manage cabin settings directly from their phones.

A Handheld Remote for Seats, Vents, and YouTube

The Robotaxi app exposes a range of software controls and hardware adjustments that are not available in the standard consumer app.

• Vent Airflow Controls: The standard Tesla app lets you toggle climate control and set a target cabin temperature. In the Robotaxi app, a 3D visualization allows you to drag your finger to physically aim the cabin air vents.

• Seat Position Adjustment: Riders can move seats forward or backward and recline backrests using software sliders on their phones, instead of using side switches or the vehicle’s central touchscreen.

• Interior Ambient Accent Lights: A color palette lets passengers change ambient lighting on the fly, choosing between preset hues or solid shades.

• In-App YouTube Browsing: Passengers can browse YouTube on their phones and tap a video to cast it to the Cybercab’s 22-inch display.

• Dedicated Grok Button: While consumer vehicles allow you to trigger voice commands by saying “Hey Grok,” the Robotaxi app adds a tap-to-talk button to wake the AI assistant.

The app also includes a route tracking card for trip overviews, plus integrations for streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Its interface feels highly responsive, with minimal delay between a tap and the corresponding action in the vehicle. “We have the best UI team in the world,” said Tesla Engineering exec Phil Duan.

Why These Features Belong in the Standard Tesla App

While full remote control is essential for driverless rides, several of these capabilities would notably improve the experience for retail owners.

Rear-seat passengers in entry-level Model Y or Model 3 vehicles — which lack a dedicated second-row touchscreen — often struggle to change music, queue a YouTube video, or adjust climate vent airflow. Bringing these controls to the standard Tesla app would help: a driver could hand a phone to the second row, or paired passenger phones could be allowed to access vent direction, seat heating, and media queues to simplify family trips.

With Tesla Robotaxis expected to begin running 24/7 next month alongside the deployment of FSD v15, the Robotaxi app will see extensive real-world use. After validating passenger interactions at scale, moving these remote features into the main Tesla app would be a logical progression.