The Feds Might Let Robotaxis Skip The Steering Wheel

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering removing the requirement for traditional brake pedals and steering wheels in robotaxis. NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that it doesn’t make sense for vehicles designed to be fully autonomous to have manual controls. This potential ruling could benefit companies like Tesla, which is developing its Robocab, and Waymo. Tesla’s Cybercab, unveiled in 2024, was originally designed without a steering wheel or pedals, but the company has been testing prototypes with these traditional controls due to current regulatory requirements. If the changes are implemented, Tesla could sell the Cybercab without a wheel and pedals, but building it with both options could be a smarter play, allowing fleet versions to be fully autonomous while private buyers could use it manually and then switch to autonomous mode. There is no indication that Elon Musk’s contributions to President Trump’s campaign have influenced the NHTSA’s decision to update its regulations.