Tesla Tests Steering-Wheel-Free Cybercab on Austin Roads

Tesla has begun testing a production version of its Cybercab on public streets in Austin, Texas, driving the two-seat vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, according to reporting by The Next Web. The car is controlled entirely by Tesla's autonomous driving software, with a human safety monitor seated in the right passenger seat rather than behind any conventional controls.

Why It Matters for Europe

While the trials are taking place in the United States, the implications stretch across the Atlantic and toward the Africa–Europe technology corridor. European cities have been cautious about fully driverless vehicles, and regulators on the continent generally require stricter type-approval and safety validation before such cars can operate without manual override systems. A purpose-built robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals would face significant hurdles under current European rules, making the Austin tests an early indicator of the technology Tesla may eventually seek to deploy in regulated markets abroad.