Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment
The NHTSA has launched an investigation into Tesla's deployment of the Cybercab, which lacks traditional manual controls like steering wheels and pedals. Regulators are examining the technical data and certification processes Tesla used to claim compliance with federal safety standards.
Why it matters
This probe highlights the regulatory friction between rapid autonomous vehicle innovation and established federal safety requirements for public road use.
The United States’ top automotive safety regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla’s decision to launch its new Cybercab on public roads with no steering wheel or pedals.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Friday morning that it opened the probe mere hours after Tesla put the first Cybercabs on the streets of Austin, Texas. Federal vehicle safety regulations require manual controls like brake pedals, though the Department of Transportation recently proposed removing those requirements for vehicles that are designed to be autonomously driven.
NHTSA said Friday that Tesla told the agency that it self-certified the Cybercab as being compliant with all of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Automakers traditionally self-certify whether their vehicles comply with FMVSS rules.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Tesla is rolling out its driverless Cybercab robotaxi in Austin ahead of launch event
The unusually muted Tesla Cybercab launch
U.S. auto safety regulator says evaluating Tesla's Cybercab rollout
Musk launches steering-wheel-free taxi service
Tesla Cybercab launch in Austin at ACL Live: Live updates
Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercab robotaxi in Austin
"No Steering Wheel, No Pedals": Musk's Taxi Service Bets On Public Trust
Tesla Officially Launches the Cybercab -- 2 Things Investors Need to Know
Tesla’s Make-or-Break Cybercab Had a Quiet Debut
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in