U.S. Auto Safety Regulator Investigates Tesla's New Cybercabs
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an audit of nearly 1,000 Tesla Cybercab vehicles to assess whether they comply with federal vehicle safety standards. The investigation follows Tesla’s recent commercial deployment of a small number of the two-seater autonomous cars in Austin, Texas, and its plans for broader rollout. NHTSA noted that the Cybercabs lack conventional manual controls such as steering wheels, brake pedals, accelerator pedals, and mirrors. The agency is examining how Tesla certified these vehicles under existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including whether certain standards were deemed inapplicable by the company. As of Friday morning, Texas state records showed 420 autonomous vehicles registered to Tesla, with 45 being Cybercabs. The probe could influence regulatory clarity for future autonomous vehicle deployments and impact investor confidence. Tesla has not yet responded publicly to NHTSA's inquiry.
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