Tesla Adds Steering Wheel Pedals to Cybercab Amid Regulatory Pushback

Tesla has announced a redesign of its Cybercab autonomous vehicle to include a steering wheel and pedals, reversing its original plan to sell it without manual controls. This change, confirmed by Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm, is driven primarily by regulatory pushback from U.S. transportation officials who require vehicles to have human intervention capabilities for safety. The inclusion of traditional driving controls is seen as a pragmatic move to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and facilitate a faster market launch, as well as to enhance safety by allowing manual override in complex driving scenarios. Additionally, the shift may help Tesla to navigate regulatory challenges and address concerns amid increased scrutiny of CEO Elon Musk's political activities, which analysts suggest may have negatively impacted Tesla's vehicle sales. Tesla shares responded positively to the announcement, reflecting investor approval of the company's more adaptable approach to autonomous vehicle deployment. Overall, Tesla's Cybercab redesign highlights the tension between ambitious self-driving technology goals and the practical realities of regulatory environments and market acceptance.