Slate, the young EV startup backed by roughly $1.4 billion in funding including from Jeff Bezos' family office, is building its truck exclusively for the US market at launch. The company will sell direct-to-consumer, manufacture in a converted Indiana plant, rely on RepairPal for servicing, and give every truck NACS access to Tesla Superchargers—all within US borders. Slate has not said whether tariffs influenced this decision or when it might expand to Canada or other countries.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-06
Tesla began operating its first Cybercabs, which have no steering wheel or pedals, on Austin streets, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation just hours later. Only 45 Cybercabs are currently registered in Texas, and CEO Elon Musk was notably absent from the vehicle's public debut event, which drew a muted response from investors.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-06
Tesla's first responder documentation reveals that firefighters and rescue crews may need to physically push the Cybercab and manually turn its front wheels during emergencies, since the vehicle lacks a traditional steering wheel. The guide warns that pushing the vehicle while it is not set to Neutral or Tow Mode risks overheating the motor and creates a potential shock hazard for responders.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-06
Several board members from Elon Musk's companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, are directing personal funding toward psychedelic research and a startup pursuing regulatory approval for MDMA-assisted therapy. The investments span both academic studies and commercial drug-development efforts aimed at treating conditions like PTSD.
wsj.com
· 2026-09-05
Tesla began deploying its steering-wheel-free Cybercab to the public in Texas and Florida as part of its Robotaxi network, shortly after unveiling the vehicles to fans in Austin. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating whether the Cybercab meets existing federal vehicle safety standards, which still require equipment like brake pedals and mirrors that Tesla's vehicle lacks.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-05
Tesla has expanded its driverless robotaxi service beyond the Model Y to include the Cybercab, a two-seat vehicle featuring butterfly doors, touchscreens, and no steering wheel. A promotional video for the new vehicle went viral, but drew backlash from disability advocates who say its design overlooks accessibility needs.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-04
Tesla opened its Cybercab robotaxi service to paying customers in Austin via its Robotaxi app, with 45 vehicles now running commercially. Shortly after, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the vehicle, which lacks a steering wheel, pedals and mirrors, since Tesla self-certified the design.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-04
Tesla shares dropped 6% Friday after a subdued, invite-only Cybercab event in Austin left Wall Street unimpressed. The two-seat, driverless Cybercab began limited rides through Tesla's Robotaxi app within a geofenced Austin zone, but the company offered little new detail on pricing, production timelines or regulatory clearance, and Elon Musk did not attend.
cnbc.com
· 2026-09-04
After a low-key private event with no livestream and only a brief keynote, Tesla released fine print showing its Cybercab autonomous vehicle will not accept riders under 13 years old. The Cybercab also lacks standard LATCH anchors for child car seats, requiring seat belts instead, while Tesla's separate Model Y robotaxi service allows children as young as 8 with an adult present.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-04
Tesla began operating its driverless, two-seat Cybercab for public rides in Austin, Texas, even as federal regulators launched a probe into whether the vehicle meets safety standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Audit Query will examine the data and reasoning Tesla used to conclude it doesn't need an exemption from rules requiring items like steering wheels and brake pedals—unlike competitor Zoox, which secured such an exemption for its similarly designed vehicles.
wired.com
· 2026-09-04
An anonymous worker who services Waymo vehicles for third-party contractor Transdev US told Bay Area Current that the job involves chaotic mass onboarding with no real interview process, rapid-fire training, and covert monitors who report contractors to management. The worker also described unpleasant physical tasks, including cleaning bodily waste left in vehicles, as part of daily duties. Neither Waymo nor Transdev responded to requests for comment on the claims.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-04
Tesla began limited commercial Cybercab service in Austin, Texas, using vehicles that lack a steering wheel, pedals or mirrors. Shortly after launch, the NHTSA opened an audit query covering roughly 1,000 vehicles to review how Tesla self-certified the Cybercab as compliant with federal safety standards.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-04
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