Tesla Considers Adding Steering Wheel and Pedals to Cybercab Amid Regulatory and Technological Challenges

Tesla is considering modifying its upcoming Cybercab to include a steering wheel and pedals, as the company navigates regulatory requirements and the current limitations of autonomous driving technology. Initially unveiled as a two-seater electric vehicle without traditional controls, the Cybercab was designed to operate solely as a robotaxi. However, Tesla has yet to achieve fully unsupervised autonomous driving capabilities, and existing regulations limit the production of vehicles without steering wheels and pedals to 2,500 units per manufacturer per year. Tesla Chairwoman Robin Denholm stated, "If we have to have a steering wheel, it can have a steering wheel and pedals." The company plans to commence Cybercab production at Gigafactory Texas in the second quarter of 2026, aiming for a volume of at least 2 million units annually. CEO Elon Musk has emphasized the vehicle's potential to revolutionize the automotive market by offering a cost-effective solution optimized for full autonomy. Despite these ambitions, Tesla's current technology and regulatory constraints may necessitate the inclusion of traditional controls in the Cybercab's design.