Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment

The United States’ top automotive safety regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla decision to launch its new Cybercab on public roads with no steering wheel or pedals.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Friday morning that it opened the probe mere hours after Tesla put the first Cybercabs on the streets of Austin, Texas.

Federal vehicle safety regulations require manual controls like brake pedals, though the Department of Transportation recently proposed removing those requirements for vehicles that are designed to be autonomously driven. NHTSA said Friday that Tesla told the agency that it self-certified the Cybercab as being compliant with all of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

It is typical for automakers to self-certify whether their vehicles comply with FMVSS. This story is developing…