One of the selling points of Tesla’s much-hyped Cybercab — its purpose-built robotaxi — is that it doesn’t need manual controls. That’s why it doesn’t even come with a steering wheel or pedals.
But an early passenger who got to ride one of the self-driving cars after they launched in Austin last week discovered that they secretly have manual controls hidden in a touchscreen — the most practical way to control a car, as everyone knows — after its software glitched out and accidentally revealed them.
Now the NTHSA is investigating how Tesla came to the conclusion that they’re certified to drive on public roads without a steering wheel.
And for those asking, the NTHSA lets manufacturers self-certify and then runs tests later. So Tesla is basically hoping to get things out there and sold before getting slapped down or saying “but see, it’s already out there!”