The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has partnered with SAE International on a new initiative called ASCEND, aimed at creating standardized, data-driven performance benchmarks for automated driving systems. The effort comes as regulators grapple with vehicles like the Tesla Cybercab and Zoox robotaxi, which lack pedals, steering wheels, and mirrors required under existing federal vehicle safety rules. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said the goal is to build a framework that prioritizes safety without forcing the agency into reactive, case-by-case policymaking.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-20
A rider in Austin used Tesla's newly launched Cybercab robotaxi service and documented on X how the vehicle became stuck navigating out of his hotel's parking lot due to a construction closure in one lane. Unable to detect the alternate open lane, the car reportedly shuttled back and forth four times before halting and declaring the trip complete, leaving the passenger back where he started.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-17
Shortly after Tesla began testing its pedal-free, steering-wheel-free Cybercab on Austin streets, the NHTSA opened an audit into whether the vehicle complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The agency has since issued a Special Order demanding Tesla certify under oath that the Cybercab meets these rules by September 30, with noncompliance risking fines up to $139 million and possible prison time for falsified claims.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-16
Tesla's driverless Cybercab, now operating as part of its Robotaxi service, lacks a steering wheel and brake pedals, letting occupants recline their seats. Tesla's own rider guide warns passengers to keep seat backs within 35 degrees of vertical and feet flat on the floor to reduce injury risk in a crash, while safety researchers note that reclined seating already correlates with worse crash outcomes in conventional vehicles.
wired.com
· 2026-09-16
A Cybercab rider in Austin reported that a trip meant to take ten minutes stretched into a 70-minute ordeal, with the vehicle initially heading the wrong way before winding through east Austin. Electrek attributes the meandering routes to the fact that Tesla's robotaxis cannot yet use highways and operate only within a limited, pre-mapped geofenced zone, unlike Waymo which already drives on highways in some cities.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-16
Tesla quietly opened its two-seater Cybercab robotaxi rides to the public in Austin on September 4, announcing it via a post on X rather than a livestreamed event. Analysts and investors said the low-key rollout offered scant detail, with the fleet still small and confined to a geofenced zone, while separate tests in New York required human drivers and steering wheels.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-15
Tesla vehicles branded as Cybercabs have appeared on New York City streets equipped with steering wheels and human drivers, a stark contrast to the pedal-free, wheel-free design Elon Musk showcased in 2024. Officials say the cars are running a 'supervised' self-driving system that requires a person ready to take control at any moment, and Tesla has not disclosed how many vehicles are involved or how long the testing will last. The company has also not applied for autonomous vehicle testing permits with New York's DMV, suggesting this is a data-gathering exercise rather than a service launch.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-12
As Tesla's autonomous Cybercab vehicles begin appearing in cities including Austin, New York, Washington DC, and San Diego, several personal injury law firms are already publishing marketing material aimed at potential accident victims. Firms such as Sarofiem and Antoun, Funes Law, and Angel Reyes and Associates are positioning themselves to handle liability claims even though no confirmed Cybercab accidents have occurred yet.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-11
Austin Fire Department Chief Matthew McElearney told NBC that Tesla's Cybercab, which relies on a touchscreen instead of a steering wheel for manual control, could hinder first responders trying to move the vehicle during emergencies. He noted the touchscreen requires power, training, and precision, which may not be feasible if responders are wearing gloves, covered in dust or sweat, or if the car is damaged.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-11
Tesla has begun distributing a 'Robotaxi interest form' encouraging entrepreneurs to buy fleets of its two-seat Cybercab and share ride revenue with the company as it expands robotaxi operations in Austin. The push follows Elon Musk's long-standing claims that self-driving Tesla vehicles could become passive income machines for owners.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-10
A video posted on X shows a Tesla Cybercab's central touchscreen switching into an undisclosed control mode featuring a virtual joystick, letting a person drag a finger to steer the vehicle. The rider said the display appeared in this unusual configuration unprompted, and the screen also showed door controls, a support button, and a camera feed that seemed to include non-live imagery from a previous location. Tesla has not acknowledged or explained this manual-driving interface publicly.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-09
A Tesla Cybercab rider in Austin, Matthew Skrzypczak, found his in-car screen glitch into a hidden interface featuring camera feeds and a touchscreen joystick for shifting the vehicle forward and reverse. He managed to close the door and honk the horn but couldn't get the car to move using the joystick, possibly due to user error. Tesla has not explained why a passenger was able to access what appears to be a feature meant for employees or emergency responders.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-09
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