Tesla's Cybercab, a two-seater vehicle designed without a steering wheel or brake pedals, is set to begin operations in Austin, Texas, this evening. The vehicle is currently under investigation by the U.S. federal government to determine if it meets federal safety standards. The investigation was announced shortly after Tesla hosted an event in downtown Austin for fans to experience rides in the driverless Cybercabs. Tesla aims to integrate these vehicles into its Robotaxi ride-hail network, which is already operational in several cities in Texas and Florida.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in the process of updating vehicle standards to facilitate the deployment of driverless cars on public roads. This includes revising eight regulations that currently mandate features such as brake pedals, windshield wipers, and rearview mirrors, which may not be necessary for autonomous vehicles. However, existing standards remain in effect for the time being.
Companies with uniquely designed robotaxis have been instructed to seek exemptions from federal regulations before they can begin passenger services. Amazon's Zoox, which operates vehicles lacking steering wheels and manual controls, received the first exemption this summer, allowing it to operate 2,500 vehicles this year.
Tesla has stated that it does not require an exemption, asserting that its vehicles comply with all current safety standards. The ongoing investigation, referred to as an Audit Query, will assess the data and processes Tesla used to support its compliance claims, according to a government filing.
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison expressed the agency's commitment to ensuring the safe development of automated vehicles while emphasizing the importance of adhering to federal laws. Tesla did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Ann Carlson, a former acting NHTSA administrator and current professor of environmental law at UCLA, indicated that the investigation may reflect NHTSA's frustration with Tesla. She noted that the agency's expectations regarding the exemption process were made clear through the Zoox case, and Tesla's decision to proceed without an exemption is surprising.
Federal investigations of this nature can have significant implications, as NHTSA has the authority to mandate changes to a vehicle or its operational processes and can impose civil penalties. For instance, Volvo Group North America was fined $130 million in 2023 following an investigation into its recall procedures and agreed to three years of oversight by a third-party auditor.
The Cybercabs represent Tesla's vision for the future, with CEO Elon Musk stating that the company should be viewed not merely as an automaker but as a robotics and autonomous vehicle enterprise. Currently, 45 Cybercabs are part of Tesla's fleet in Texas, with plans to deploy millions of such vehicles annually.