The article reports on Tesla’s Cybercab event in Austin, which received mixed reactions from social media users and failed to impress Wall Street. The event was notably quieter than previous Tesla gatherings, with CEO Elon Musk absent, a departure that the author finds puzzling given Musk’s emphasis on robotics and AI as central to Tesla’s future. The author suggests that the true test of Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions will be its ability to launch a safe, scalable service, noting that Tesla currently has only 45 registered Cybercabs in Texas, a small number compared to competitors like Waymo.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Tesla shortly after the company deployed its first Cybercabs in Austin. These vehicles lack traditional manual controls such as a steering wheel and pedals, which federal regulations typically require. Tesla opted to self-certify the vehicles, a standard practice for human-driven cars, but the NHTSA responded by initiating an investigation. The article notes that Tesla may continue operating the Cybercabs during the investigation and mentions that similar NHTSA actions have occurred in the past. The piece also briefly touches on other mobility-related news, including potential acquisitions, funding rounds, and service expansions by various companies in the sector. Read the full article here.