US opens probe into Tesla self-certification of Cybercab robotaxis
TSLA•Regulator says existing standards still apply
Automakers must certify vehicles meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and when certified vehicles appear to not adhere to these requirements, NHTSA investigates, the agency said Friday.
In June, the agency proposed to end a government requirement for manual brake pedals in self-driving vehicles, a move that would make it easier to deploy such vehicles on U.S. roads. It has proposed other changes to federal safety standards to allow AVs to avoid needing additional human driver equipment.
Until that work is completed, existing standards remain in force, NHTSA said.
"NHTSA fully supports the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles. But as the federal regulator, we need to ensure that all of our laws are followed,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.
The agency is investigating the basis of Tesla's Cybercab certification and related issues, including the extent to which the company determined that certain standards were not applicable to the vehicle.
