Tesla begins testing pedal- and steering wheel-free Cybercab in Austin

This development comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed new regulations that would not mandate brake pedals in vehicles designed exclusively for automated driving systems. Tesla executives, including CEO Elon Musk, have expressed confidence in outcompeting existing robotaxi services like Waymo, citing their integrated approach to vehicle and software production and their reliance on camera-only autonomy.

Tesla has previously tested prototype Cybercabs with traditional controls and has been observed parking large numbers of vehicles in various cities, fueling speculation about a scaled-up network launch. The company has also been testing a robotaxi service using modified Model Y SUVs in Austin for about a year, though this service has experienced its own challenges, including minor crashes. The introduction of the distinctively gold-colored, two-seater Cybercabs is expected to bring greater public visibility to Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions and any subsequent successes or setbacks.