Musk pushes regulatory limits with Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi service
[SAN FRANCISCO] Tesla’s race to deploy Cybercab robotaxis will put regulatory limits to the test as the electric vehicle maker begins paid...
Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi service is set to challenge regulatory limits as the company begins charging for rides in these innovative two-seaters. After an unveiling event in Austin, Texas, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would audit around 1,000 Cybercab vehicles to evaluate their compliance with federal vehicle-safety regulations. Federal safety standards, designed for human-driven cars, require manual controls unlike the Cybercab, which lacks a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors.
Industry experts believe that despite regulatory gray areas and Elon Musk's litigation history, Tesla might still manage to deploy the Cybercab widely. The golden, butterfly-door Cybercab represents Musk's bet on self-driving software and robotics, propelling Tesla's stock value to over US$1.4 trillion.
Unlike other countries, the US allows automakers to deploy new vehicles by self-certifying they meet federal standards. Tesla, lacking a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors, is likely to rely on self-certification, a strategy that has yielded a US$30,000 starting price for the Cybercab. Experts warn that Tesla’s self-driving software, while touted as up to 10 times safer than human drivers, remains prone to basic maneuvers.
Tesla could potentially operate Cybercabs on public roads without regulatory clearance, pushing the matter to courts.
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