Tesla's Cybercab has been deployed for public rides in Austin and Florida, but just hours after launch, the NHTSA initiated an Audit Query investigation into whether the steering-wheel-free vehicle complies with federal safety standards. Tesla declined to seek an exemption, claiming full compliance, while the regulator probes the company's assessment process.
Background
Tesla unveiled the Cybercab in 2024 as a purpose-built two-seater robotaxi without traditional controls. The NHTSA is simultaneously updating eight federal vehicle standards to accommodate driverless cars, with Zoox becoming the first company to secure an operational exemption this summer.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 5, 2026 at 11:17 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10