Tesla has launched its Cybercab robotaxi model, a valuable part of its autonomous driving vision, in Austin, Texas. Immediately following this development, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it has launched an investigation into the vehicle’s design.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk first introduced the Cybercab in October 2024. While mass production is expected to begin in April 2026, Musk stated that scaling would be slow due to supply chain and validation processes.

Details of the Investigation and Safety Standards

The main reason for the NHTSA’s investigation is the Cybercab’s lack of classic manual controls. The vehicle has no brake pedal, accelerator pedal, steering wheel, or rearview mirrors.

Tesla has internally certified the safety of its Cybercab. The NHTSA, however, plans to review the technical information and related safety concerns that Tesla relied on in this certification process.

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that the agency supports the safe development of autonomous vehicles. However, he emphasized that as a federal regulator, they are obligated to ensure compliance with all laws.

The agency had previously announced that it was considering removing the need for manual supervision in autonomous vehicles. A similar process was previously undertaken for Zoox’s autonomous vehicle development, which was previously owned by Amazon.

Zoox was investigated by the NHTSA during its testing phase due to a lack of traditional controls. After receiving the necessary approvals, the company began publicly offering its services in September 2025.

Autonomous Driving Technology and Future Plans

Tesla’s robotaxi service was initially launched in Austin with Model Y vehicles. Currently, there are 45 Cybercabs operating commercially on the streets of Austin.

The most valuable feature that distinguishes the Cybercab from its Competitors is that it relies solely on camera systems for navigation instead of radar or lidar. This raises questions for some users who are hesitant about autonomous vehicles.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in July, 71% of adults in the US stated that they would not feel comfortable traveling in a driverless vehicle. Tesla’s autonomous vehicles have also been involved in a number of accidents since they hit public roads.

Elon Musk stated that in the future, individuals could also own Cybercabs and generate income by integrating these vehicles into the robotaxi network. The company predicts that the cost of the vehicle will be under $30,000.

Tesla has released an interest form for future robotaxi opportunities. This form allows users to evaluate their options for purchasing a Cybercab fleet vehicle.

Do you think traveling in a fully autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel and pedals is safe, or is it too early for this technology?