Robotaxi Certification: Tesla Cybercab Faces NHTSA Scrutiny

NHTSA is demanding sworn answers on how Tesla certified the steering-wheel- and pedal-free Cybercab under existing safety rules, including the foot-control brake requirement. The comparison with Zoox’s exemption pathway could shape U.S. robotaxi certification precedent and Tesla’s Austin rollout. In parallel, China’s emerging L3/L4 regulatory timetable shows that safety standards and approval pathways are becoming central to autonomy commercialization.