Tesla's Cybercab makes debut in Texas, regulators keep a close eye
Tesla has begun offering rides in its new Cybercab in Austin, Texas. The two-seater vehicle, which lacks a steering wheel and pedals, has sparked interest from regulators and the NHTSA, who plan to review the company's operations.
Tesla has begun offering rides in its new Cybercab in certain areas of Austin, Texas. It is a two-seater vehicle that does not include a steering wheel or pedals, which has already sparked interest among regulators and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to a report by Reuters, the agency announced it would examine the company's operations.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk first unveiled the Cybercab in 2024, defining it as a central factor in the company's efforts to become a leading player in the field of autonomous vehicles. Last night, Tesla held a launch event for the gold-colored vehicle, which attracted investors and fans. However, Musk himself did not attend the event. Furthermore, it was not announced when the company will begin charging for the rides. The company stated that they intend to use dynamic pricing, so that the price will rise according to demand, while promising a "first-class experience at the price of tourist class."
Tesla already operates a limited autonomous ride service using Model Y vehicles, but some of them include human safety monitors. In the future, the company plans to make the Cybercab the central vehicle in its robotaxi network.
Meanwhile, Tesla is trailing behind its rival Waymo. In Texas, there are currently 420 registered autonomous Tesla vehicles, including 45 Cybercabs, compared to 988 vehicles from Waymo, the leader in the field. Additionally, federal regulations limit the number of vehicles without steering wheels and pedals that manufacturers are allowed to sell, and in California, Tesla still does not hold permits to operate a robotaxi service without a safety driver.
