Tesla has started charging for rides in its Cybercab in Austin, Texas, and federal regulators are taking notice.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an audit on the same day the service launched, September 3.
At the heart of the investigation is the Cybercab's lack of a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors.
The Missing Hardware
NHTSA's filing notes that the Cybercab lacks "permanently attached, conventional manual controls," including brake and accelerator pedals, a steering wheel, and mirrors.
The agency wants to examine the technical data and process Tesla used to certify the vehicle as compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
This is not a finding that Tesla broke the rules; automakers typically self-certify compliance.
The question is which standards Tesla deemed inapplicable to a vehicle without manual controls.
NHTSA will investigate whether Tesla's interpretation holds up.
The audit covers around 1,000 vehicles, but Tesla currently operates only 45 Cybercabs in Austin.
Tesla's website promotes the Cybercab for "errands, commuting and more," with bench-style seating for two passengers and space for luggage or golf clubs.
For now, the audit does not ground the fleet, but that could change.
Tesla designed the Cybercab with the idea that no human will ever need to drive it, and now it must convince regulators that rules for driver-operated cars don't apply.
