US auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into nearly 1,000 Tesla Cybercabs, coming as the company launched commercial deployment of its two-seater driverless taxi in Austin, Texas.
Key facts
- The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab.
- The probe covers nearly 1,000 vehicles.
- Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of the two-seater Cybercab in Austin, Texas on Thursday.
- The Cybercab is a self-driving vehicle, according to Al Jazeera.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a safety investigation into nearly 1,000 Tesla Cybercabs, the regulator’s latest scrutiny of the company’s self-driving technology.
The probe comes after Tesla on Thursday began commercial deployment of a small number of the two-seater Cybercab in Austin, Texas, according to CNBC.
The Cybercab is Tesla’s driverless taxi. Al Jazeera reported that the NHTSA investigation was opened as Tesla launched the new self-driving vehicle.
The launch marks Tesla’s move into commercial operation of its autonomous ride service, though the deployment involves only a small number of vehicles at this stage, per CNBC.
The regulator’s decision to examine the vehicles reflects continued official attention to automated driving systems as they begin operating on public roads.
Further details on the specific concerns prompting the investigation were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
The investigation places federal safety oversight at the center of Tesla's push into driverless taxis, a business the company has long promoted as a key part of its future. How regulators handle the Cybercab could shape the pace and conditions under which autonomous vehicles are allowed to operate commercially.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NHTSA investigating?
The NHTSA has opened a safety investigation into nearly 1,000 Tesla Cybercabs. The specific concerns behind the probe were not detailed in the available reporting.
Where did Tesla deploy the Cybercab?
Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of the two-seater Cybercab in Austin, Texas, according to CNBC.
What is the Tesla Cybercab?
The Cybercab is Tesla's two-seater self-driving taxi, described by Al Jazeera as a driverless vehicle.