NHTSA opens Cybercab certification inquiry after Austin rollout

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab deployment after the company put the vehicles on Austin public roads. NHTSA said Tesla self-certified compliance with federal vehicle safety standards despite the Cybercab lacking a steering wheel and pedals. The agency will examine the process and technical data behind that certification, including whether Tesla treated particular standards as inapplicable. Tesla's route differs from an exemption process that has been used for vehicles without traditional manual controls.