The Tesla Cybercab is envisioned as a fully autonomous vehicle, a concept underscored by its striking design: no steering wheel, no pedals. This exemplifies Tesla’s ambition to pioneer self-driving technology. However, while the technology is advancing, it’s not yet ready for complete autonomy in all scenarios.

Showcased At Petersen Museum

Recently, the Cybercab made its way to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. A video featuring Tesla’s lead designer, Franz von Holzhausen, showcased the vehicle and discussed its design philosophy. Notably, another video from the museum captured the Cybercab arriving at the exhibit under its own power. However, there was a human occupant and reports from Autoevolution indicate the vehicle was being controlled using a controller.

Sources suggest that the driver utilized what appeared to be an Xbox controller to navigate the Cybercab. Though wired in this instance, the controller can also be used wirelessly and even from outside the vehicle.

This approach makes sense in a controlled environment like a museum. The vehicle isn’t navigating GPS-mapped roads with clearly defined lanes. Autonomous navigation through obstacles like temporary ramps within the museum would be a significant challenge.

Moreover, human intervention might be necessary in real-world driving scenarios. Whether it’s unexpected obstacles, complex traffic situations, or regulatory requirements for safety drivers, a manual override is crucial. Tesla is exploring the use of remote drivers for such instances, but the ability to control the Cybercab from within the vehicle appears to be an option as well.

Real-World Navigation Insights

This recent glimpse of the Cybercab in motion offers new insights. We see it cautiously navigating a real-world transition from street to driveway, then ascending ramps into the museum, all while its hazard lights flash. The absence of a rear window, while noticeable in still images, becomes even more pronounced when the vehicle is in motion.

The Cybercab represents a bold step towards the future of transportation. While full autonomy may still be some time away, the innovative design and the incorporation of human-controlled overrides demonstrate Tesla’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of self-driving technology.

What do you think about Tesla’s recent move towards auto-driven cars? Tell us in the comments section.