Tesla is preparing to launch its Cybercab, a driverless vehicle, in Austin, Texas, potentially this month. While the company has been testing the vehicle on private roads, concerns remain about the readiness of its Full Self-Driving software, which is under scrutiny by safety experts and regulators. The Cybercab is designed to operate without human intervention, raising questions about safety and data adequacy compared to competitors like Waymo.
The Cybercab's unique design lacks traditional controls, which could complicate its compliance with federal safety regulations. Although Tesla has not confirmed if it is seeking exemptions to bypass these rules, the launch comes at a time when the company faces challenges in proving the safety and effectiveness of its autonomous technology compared to other players in the market.