Washington: (RightNow) The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla’s new robotic taxi, the ‘CyberCab’. The investigation aims to determine whether Tesla followed the correct procedures when certifying its vehicles under federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Tesla has initiated a limited commercial service for its two-seater CyberCab in Austin, Texas. Initially, the number of vehicles will be kept low, with plans to expand the service to more vehicles and locations in the future.

According to the NHTSA, the CyberCab lacks traditional controls such as a steering wheel and brake pedal. These features are a significant focus of the investigation. The agency is examining the basis on which Tesla deemed these controls unnecessary.

This issue is crucial as the U.S. government is considering changes to autonomous vehicle regulations. In June, the NHTSA proposed a change to the brake pedal regulation to allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate without traditional equipment on roads.

It is noteworthy that Tesla did not request a special exemption for the CyberCab. Under U.S. law, the NHTSA can grant special permission for up to 2,500 vehicles annually in limited numbers.