Federal safety officials are reviewing nearly 1,000 vehicles as Tesla puts fully autonomous robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals on the road
The U.S. government has opened an investigation into the certification process used by Tesla for its Cybercab, the company’s fully autonomous robotaxi.
The investigation was opened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, the federal agency responsible for vehicle safety.
Regulators are reviewing the process and technical information Tesla used to certify that nearly 1,000 Cybercabs comply with federal safety standards.
Cybercab has no steering wheel or pedals
The Cybercab stands apart from traditional vehicles because of its design.
The two-seat vehicle was developed without a steering wheel, pedals or some of the controls typically used by human drivers.
Tesla has begun offering paid rides using the Cybercab in parts of Texas, putting the technology on public roads while regulatory questions remain under review.
Regulators examine Tesla’s certification
Under the U.S. regulatory system, automakers are generally responsible for certifying that their vehicles comply with federal safety requirements.
NHTSA is now examining the information Tesla relied on during that process.
The investigation does not mean regulators have determined that the Cybercab is unsafe. The review is intended to determine whether Tesla properly complied with the requirements necessary to put the vehicles into operation.
The investigation comes as automakers and technology companies accelerate their race to develop autonomous transportation in the United States.
Source: Reuters and NHTSA
