Tesla's Cybercab faces federal investigation shortly after Austin launch

Tesla recently unveiled its autonomous Cybercab in Austin, a gold-finished robotaxi featuring a two-seat design, butterfly doors, and a Grok-enabled screen. Notably, the vehicle lacks a steering wheel and pedals, a design choice that immediately triggered an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency requires autonomous vehicles to maintain manual back-up controls, though exceptions have been made for other companies like Zoox following extensive review processes. Tesla self-certified that its driverless cars met federal safety standards, but the NHTSA has launched an audit query to verify compliance. While the Trump administration aims to balance innovation with safety, the investigation raises questions about the timeline for expanding Cybercab services beyond Austin. The NHTSA emphasized that while it supports the development of automated vehicles, it must ensure all federal performance requirements are strictly followed to maintain safety standards.