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Tesla Cybercab faces NHTSA investigation over safety certification
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab, a dedicated robotaxi that lacks a steering wheel, brake pedal, and accelerator. The agency has issued a special order requiring Tesla to provide detailed information by September 30 regarding the vehicle's safety certification process.
NHTSA is specifically examining how Tesla determined which federal motor vehicle safety standards apply to a vehicle without conventional manual controls. The probe includes inquiries into whether Tesla used temporary human-operated controls during the certification process and whether the Cybercab can be operated by a human driver or via a touchscreen interface.
The investigation follows Tesla's September 3 launch of the Cybercab in Austin, Texas, where limited public rides have commenced. Failure to fully comply with the NHTSA's request could result in a Department of Justice lawsuit and civil penalties of up to $27,874 per day, with total potential fines reaching approximately $139 million.
Entities
Austin · Department of Justice · Elon Musk · National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Tesla
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Regulators are investigating whether Tesla used temporary human controls to achieve safety certification and if those controls were removed later. www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Tesla launched the Cybercab in Austin on September 3 and has since begun offering limited public rides in the city. www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · teslanorth.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The NHTSA has issued a special order to Tesla seeking information on the Cybercab's fleet size, operating locations, speed limits, and the basis for its safety certification. www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tesla is required to submit its response to the NHTSA by September 30. www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · www.ithome.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tesla faces potential Justice Department lawsuits and civil penalties of up to $27,874 per day, with a cap of approximately $139 million, for failing to comply with the order. www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Cybercab is designed without a steering wheel, brake pedal, accelerator pedal, or traditional mirrors. teslanorth.com · www.ithome.com