Tesla’s Cybercab has been deployed, and it’s already under investigation
Ars Technica • • business
Key Points:
- Tesla’s Cybercab, a two-seater driverless vehicle without steering wheels or brake pedals, is set to begin public rides in Texas and Florida as part of its Robotaxi network.
- The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation to determine if the Cybercab complies with existing federal safety standards, despite Tesla’s claim that no exemption is needed.
- NHTSA is currently updating vehicle regulations to accommodate driverless cars but still enforces older standards requiring features like brake pedals and steering wheels, which Tesla’s Cybercab lacks.
- Other companies, such as Amazon’s Zoox, have obtained exemptions to operate similar vehicles, highlighting regulatory expectations that Tesla appears to be challenging.
- The investigation could lead to mandatory changes, penalties, or oversight, reflecting NHTSA’s commitment to enforcing safety laws amid Tesla’s push to transform into a robotics and autonomous vehicle company.
