Tesla launches Cybercab in Austin; US NHTSA opens safety audit amid lack of manual controls
Tesla began commercial rides with the two-seater Cybercab on September 3, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into its self-certification on September 4.
Tesla started commercial service with its Cybercab robotaxi in Austin, Texas, on September 3. This marks the first deployment of a vehicle designed specifically for fully autonomous ride-hailing. The electric car lacks traditional controls: there are no steering wheels, accelerators, brake pedals, or mirrors inside the cabin. On September 4, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an audit regarding Tesla's claim that the Cybercab meets federal safety standards. The agency will review the technical data and processes used to certify compliance with existing regulations. NHTSA noted that current safety standards remain active while it works on proposed changes for autonomous vehicles. Tesla told the regulator it had certified the car as compliant, but the investigation focuses specifically on the absence of manual driving controls.
