Tesla's Cybercab launch catches the eye of US auto safety regulator

Shortly after Tesla unveiled its Cybercab to customers on Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into the vehicle. Tesla had launched its robotaxis in Austin earlier that day. The US auto safety agency is currently examining Tesla's self-certification of the autonomous, steering-wheel-less Cybercab.

This does not imply that the Cybercab is unsafe or that its deployment will be halted. Rather, regulators may be examining whether the vehicle complies with federal safety standards. Tesla's Cybercab, which has yet to be made available for purchase to consumers, has already been registered by 45 units in Texas. NHTSA, led by Administrator Jonathan Morrison, stated that they support the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles.

However, as the federal regulator, they need to ensure all laws are followed. The Cybercab's lack of conventional human controls, such as a steering wheel, pedals, or side mirrors, which are required by current federal safety standards, may pose questions for Tesla. The agency will analyze Tesla's technical data and the processes behind the automaker's self-certification.

Tesla has claimed that the Cybercab complies with all applicable federal safety standards. This move follows a similar situation where NHTSA granted Amazon's Zoox a temporary exemption to deploy its own steering-wheel-free robotaxis commercially in July.