The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a formal order requiring Tesla to justify its hands-free Cybercab design under penalty of perjury, setting strict deadlines and potential legal consequences if compliance fails. The agency’s move follows concerns over safety risks tied to the vehicle’s lack of a traditional steering wheel, raising questions about regulatory oversight in autonomous driving technology. Tesla now faces high-stakes legal scrutiny as it prepares to defend its approach before the September deadline. The case could set a precedent for how automakers balance innovation with federal safety standards.
NHTSA’s Special Order forces Tesla to defend the steering-wheel-free Cybercab under oath, with tight September deadlines and steep civil and criminal risks.
