NHTSA probes Tesla Cybercab

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into how Tesla certified its new driverless robotaxi, known as the Cybercab for safety.

The agency is checking whether Tesla used the correct procedures and technical information when declaring that the vehicle meets federal safety requirements. The investigation comes as Tesla has started a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas.

The company launched the two seat Cybercab with a small number of vehicles and plans to expand the service to more cars and locations later.

Unlike normal cars the Cybercab does not have traditional driver controls. According to NHTSA, the vehicle has no steering wheel brake pedal accelerator pedal or standard side mirrors.

These missing features are now a key part of the investigation. US automakers are generally responsible for certifying that their vehicles meet federal safety standards.

However NHTSA can investigate if there are concerns that a certified vehicle may not meet those requirements.

The agency is also examining the basis Tesla used for the Cybercab’s certification and why certain safety requirements may have been considered inapplicable to the vehicle.

The issue comes as US officials are considering changes to rules for self driving vehicles. NHTSA has proposed removing some existing requirements including rules related to brake pedals in automated vehicles.

However current safety standards remain in effect until any legal changes are completed. Texas records showed that 420 Tesla automated vehicles were registered in the state as of Friday morning, including 45 Cybercabs.

Under current US rules fully automated vehicles generally do not need separate NHTSA approval if they include the required human controls. For vehicles without features such as steering wheels brake pedals or mirrors NHTSA has limited authority to allow a certain number of vehicles on public roads.

The agency can permit an automaker to operate up to 2,500 such vehicles per year under a special exemption.

In July, NHTSA allowed Amazon-owned Zoox to begin limited commercial operations of a robotaxi without a steering wheel.

According to NHTSA, Tesla did not apply for a similar exemption for the Cybercab.  This has raised questions about the legal and technical basis for Tesla’s safety certification. Tesla did not immediately comment on the investigation.

Disclaimer

The investigation does not mean Tesla has been found to have broken the law. NHTSA is still examining whether the Cybercab’s certification complies with current federal safety rules.