The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a formal inquiry to Tesla regarding the certification process for its Cybercab robotaxi. The company is required to submit detailed responses to the regulator by September 30, 2024, as part of an ongoing government investigation.
The primary focus of the inquiry is whether Tesla properly self-certified the vehicle, which lacks traditional manual controls such as a steering wheel, brake pedals, accelerator, and rearview mirrors. The NHTSA is examining whether temporary controls were used during the certification process to meet federal safety standards.
Under current US regulations, vehicles equipped with standard manual controls do not require prior NHTSA approval. However, the agency has the authority to grant exemptions allowing manufacturers to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles per year that lack human-operated controls. The regulator is now reviewing the technical data behind Tesla's compliance claims.
The NHTSA has requested clarification on whether the Cybercab can be operated by a human, if the touchscreen interface allows for manual vehicle movement, and what specific operational constraints exist. These include questions regarding the vehicle's maximum speed, geographic limitations, and time-of-day restrictions.
Tesla initiated commercial deployment of a small fleet of two-seater Cybercabs in Austin, Texas, on September 3, 2024. The company has stated its intention to gradually scale the service to additional locations and increase the number of vehicles in operation as part of its long-term expansion strategy.
