Tesla Cybercab Rollout Triggers US Federal Safety Probe

According to Ars Technica, Tesla's new fully autonomous Cybercab has appeared on public roads, but the project has already drawn the attention of US federal authorities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether the vehicle complies with current federal standards.

The Cybercab is a uniquely designed two-seater electric vehicle that lacks a steering wheel or brake pedal entirely. The company has already begun carrying passengers in two states. Shortly before the official launch, Tesla hosted hundreds of fans in downtown Austin, giving them the chance to be the first to ride in the driverless Cybercab.

Under the company's plan, these vehicles will join Tesla's Robotaxi ride-hailing network. The service is currently operational in several cities across Texas and Florida, aiming to expand autonomous transport.

Regulations and safety investigation

The investigation is directly linked to the fact that the Cybercab was designed without traditional driving controls. NHTSA is actively working to update road safety standards to make the deployment of driverless vehicles on public roads faster and simpler.

The agency is currently revising eight specific rules covering components such as brake pedals, windscreen wipers and rear-view mirrors — parts that fully autonomous models do not actually require.

However, until the new regulations officially take effect, older standards established years ago remain in force. As a result, the federal agency is probing how closely Tesla's new Cybercab complies with existing legal requirements.