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When Tesla’s Cybercab was recently seen running its native in-car interface, the public got a rare glimpse of the software that most passengers will never touch. The UI closely mirrors the one used in current Tesla vehicles, but riders will primarily interact with a simplified Robotaxi interface focused on destination, ETA, map, media, and passenger controls—not the full settings menu.
The native interface, however, reveals several new elements that suggest Tesla is refining the Cybercab’s software for both autonomous operation and internal testing. A gold-themed visualization and a familiar Controls menu appear, but with distinct additions: a dedicated Robotaxi option and a separate “Rodeo” menu.
What’s New in the Interface
The main visualization now features a gold Cybercab on a gold-toned background, while the top status bar keeps turn-signal icons visible even when the signals are inactive. A windshield-wiper button likely brings up wiper controls. The Controls menu looks familiar, but two new options stand out: “Robotaxi” and “Rodeo.”
While the contents of the Robotaxi menu remain unclear, the Rodeo option appears to be an employee feedback tool. Along the bottom of the display, large buttons labeled “Short Oops,” “Long Oops,” “Win,” and “Voice Note” suggest Tesla engineers are collecting real-time feedback on autonomous driving events. A shortcut to drive settings is also present.
Split-Screen Maps: A Practical Upgrade
One of the most noticeable UI changes is the split-screen layout for the Controls menu. Instead of covering the entire display, the menu opens on the left side, leaving a portion of the map visible above the settings. This design could extend to other apps like Spotify, offering a persistent navigation view.
For current Tesla owners, this would be a welcome improvement. The current production version often hides the map behind full-screen menus, forcing drivers to toggle back and forth. If Tesla rolls out this split-screen interface to existing vehicles, it could significantly enhance usability without a hardware change.
‘Roaming’ Status: How Cybercab Stays Busy
Another screen shows the Cybercab with a full-screen vehicle visualization and a new “Now” status set to “Roaming.” This is the first time “Roaming” has been observed, and it likely indicates the Cybercab is traveling without a rider—without a fixed destination.
Instead of parking after dropping off a passenger, the Cybercab will roam the streets, heading toward more populated or congested areas based on Tesla’s predictive algorithms. By anticipating where the next rider is likely to appear, Tesla can reduce wait times and keep the robotaxis operating more efficiently throughout the day. This “roaming” strategy is a key differentiator from competitors that rely on designated waiting zones or remote dispatch.
Employee Feedback Drives Refinement
Tesla is also collecting detailed feedback during Cybercab testing at Gigafactory Texas. A Cybercab spotted during an employee drive displayed a web-based evaluation form with a 10-star ride rating and several yes-or-no questions. One visible question asks whether the trip is “acceptable for unsupervised cars.”
This feedback system is part of the Cybercab’s employee testing phase, which began earlier this summer. The company is preparing to eventually open rides to the public, but for now, Tesla employees are helping to identify edge cases and refine the autonomous driving experience. The Rodeo interface—with its “Oops” and “Win” buttons—appears to be a quick way for testers to tag specific incidents without forcing them to switch to a separate device.
Why This Matters
The Cybercab’s native interface offers a rare window into how Tesla is developing its robotaxi software. The split-screen maps, roaming status, and Rodeo feedback tools all point to a vehicle that is being designed from the ground up for autonomous operations—not just a modified Model 3 or Model Y.
As Tesla continues to refine the Cybercab, these UI elements may eventually make their way to the wider fleet, either through software updates or as inspiration for future vehicle generations. For now, the Cybercab remains a testing platform, but the interface itself hints at a more intuitive, driverless future.
Disclaimer: This article is based on observed prototypes and employee testing. All features are subject to change before official release.
