Tesla’s Wheel-Free Cybercabs Hit US Roads as Musk Bets on Driverless Future

Tesla has officially put its futuristic, gold-coloured Cybercab robotaxis onto public roads in Austin, Texas, marking a major step in Elon Musk’s push toward fully autonomous transportation. 
The two-seat Cybercab has no steering wheel, accelerator or brake pedals, meaning passengers have no traditional way to take control. Tesla says the vehicle is designed to operate entirely through its autonomous-driving system. 
The launch, however, comes with an immediate regulatory challenge. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into whether Tesla properly certified the wheel-free vehicle under federal safety rules. 
What to know
Two-seater: Purpose-built as a robotaxi rather than a conventional Tesla.
No driver controls: No steering wheel or pedals.
First rollout: Limited public rides have begun in Austin.
Regulatory scrutiny: NHTSA is examining Tesla's certification and compliance.
Big ambition:  

Musk wants Cybercab to become a major part of Tesla's autonomous ride-hailing network.
Competition: Tesla is entering a market where Waymo already operates thousands of driverless vehicles across multiple U.S. cities. 

Why it matters: 

This is more than another Tesla launch. If Tesla can demonstrate that completely driverless cars without conventional controls can operate safely and legally at scale, it could accelerate the shift from personally driven cars to autonomous mobility services. But the regulatory investigation shows that the technology is advancing faster than some existing safety rules.

Tesla’s Wheel-Free Cybercabs Hit US Roads as Musk Bets on Driverless Future.