Feds open probe into Musk's steering-wheel-free taxis a day after he began offering rides in them
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into whether Tesla's Cybercabs comply with federal safety rules, one day after the company began offering rides in Austin, Texas.
- Tesla's Cybercabs lack steering wheels, mirrors, and brake pedals typically required in vehicles, prompting regulators to examine whether the self-certification process met federal standards.
- Tesla stock fell nearly 6% to $354.08 on Friday, reversing all gains from the previous day following the launch announcement.
- The regulatory audit will examine the process and technical data Tesla used in its self-certification, similar to a probe Zoox faced three years ago for its own steering-wheel-free cabs.
- Tesla is already facing multiple federal investigations into its self-driving software's safety, including probes into crashes in low-visibility conditions and incidents involving red light violations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an investigation into Tesla's Cybercabs one day after Elon Musk launched the steering-wheel-free taxi service in Austin, Texas on Thursday. The agency is examining whether the two-seat vehicles, which lack steering wheels, mirrors, and brake pedals typically required by federal regulations, comply with safety standards. Tesla had relied on a self-certification process to ensure compliance, but regulators will now conduct an audit to examine the technical data and processes used in that certification.
The timing of the investigation coincided with significant market reaction. Tesla stock fell nearly 6% to $354.08 on Friday, erasing all gains from the previous day's launch excitement. The Cybercabs represent a significant departure from conventional vehicles, featuring manual controls that passengers cannot use to take over in emergencies, which presents new safety considerations for regulators.
This regulatory action mirrors a precedent set three years ago when rival taxi service Zoox faced a probe after self-certifying its own steering-wheel-free cabs. Regulators eventually approved Zoox's vehicles, but only after conducting a formal review. Tesla is simultaneously facing multiple other federal investigations into its self-driving software, including probes into crashes in low-visibility conditions and incidents involving red light violations.
马斯克无方向盘出租车服务启动一天后 美国联邦监管机构启动调查
美国国家公路交通安全管理局在埃隆·马斯克周四在德州奥斯汀启动无方向盘出租车服务一天后宣布启动调查。该机构正在审查缺少方向盘、后视镜和制动踏板的两座车辆是否符合联邦安全标准。特斯拉曾依赖自我认证流程来确保合规性，但监管机构现在将进行审计，以检查该认证中使用的技术数据和流程。
调查的时机与重大市场反应相吻合。特斯拉股票周五下跌近6%至354.08美元，抵消了前一天发布会带来的所有涨幅。Cybercabs代表了与传统车辆的重大偏离，具有乘客无法用来应急接管的手动控制装置，这为监管机构提出了新的安全考虑。
这一监管行动与三年前竞争对手Zoox的先例相似，后者在自我认证其无方向盘出租车后面临调查。监管机构最终批准了Zoox的车辆，但仅在进行正式审查后才批准。特斯拉同时面临多项其他联邦调查，涉及其自动驾驶软件，包括对低能见度条件下碰撞事故和闯红灯事件的调查。