Key facts
- Tesla's driverless Cybercab, lacking a steering wheel and brake pedals, has been deployed for public rides in Texas and Florida.
- The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether the Cybercab meets federal safety standards.
- Tesla asserts its vehicles comply with existing safety regulations and does not need an exemption.
- NHTSA is currently revising eight vehicle rules, including those for parts not needed in driverless cars.
- An exemption process exists for unusually shaped robotaxi companies, with Amazon's Zoox having received one.
Tesla's distinctive two-seater Cybercab, which operates without a steering wheel or brake pedals, has begun picking up members of the public in Texas and Florida as part of the company's Robotaxi ride-hail network. However, the vehicle is already under investigation by the US federal government.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is probing whether the Cybercab meets existing federal safety standards. This investigation, termed an Audit Query, will scrutinize the data and process Tesla employed to determine its compliance. The probe comes as NHTSA is in the process of updating vehicle standards to streamline the deployment of driverless cars, including tweaking rules for components like brake pedals and rearview mirrors that are unnecessary for autonomous vehicles.
While companies with unconventional vehicle designs are typically expected to apply for exemptions before passenger operations, Tesla has stated it does not require one, asserting its vehicles adhere to all current safety standards. Ann Carlson, a former acting NHTSA administrator, suggested the investigation indicates significant frustration at NHTSA with Tesla's approach, calling the company's disregard for the exemption process "gobsmacking."
NHTSA has the authority to mandate changes to a vehicle or its development process and can pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties. Volvo Group North America, for instance, paid $130 million in penalties following an investigation into its recall procedures. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has articulated a vision for the company as a robotics and autonomous vehicle entity, distinct from a traditional automaker, with plans to deploy millions of Cybercabs annually.