Tesla starts testing Cybercab without pedals or a steering wheel in Austin

Tesla has begun testing a production version of its Cybercab that has two seats, but no steering wheel or pedals, in Austin, Texas. For now, the testing is being done with a safety monitor in the right passenger seat, according to a video posted on X, the social media platform owned by the electric car maker’s CEO Elon Musk. This test is happening nearly two years after Tesla revealed the design of the Cybercab, which is meant to be a fully autonomous robotaxi that can be hailed through Tesla’s app. Roughly a year ago, Tesla began testing a Tesla Robotaxi service in Austin with Model Y SUVs that have, at times, used safety monitors. Tesla has been testing prototype versions of the Cybercab, equipped with a steering wheel and pedals, in a number of cities around the United States in recent weeks. It has also been parking hundreds of the vehicles in parking lots in some of those cities, sparking speculation that the company was finally going to launch a truly scaled-up robotaxi network. One of the hurdles to realizing that idea is likely about to be removed. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed a proposal that would not mandate brake pedals in “vehicles designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems.” The proposal is still in the public comment period, but it is expected to go through later this year. …