Tesla’s Cybercab has been deployed, and it’s already under investigation

特斯拉 Cybercab 已投入使用，但随即遭到调查

Tesla’s Cybercab, a distinctive two-seater without a steering wheel or brake pedals, is set to start picking up members of the public in two states. But the vehicle is already under investigation by the US federal government, which is probing whether it meets federal safety standards. 特斯拉的 Cybercab 是一款独特的双座汽车，没有方向盘或刹车踏板，目前已准备好在两个州开始接载公众。然而，该车型已遭到美国联邦政府的调查，监管机构正在核查其是否符合联邦安全标准。

The investigation comes just hours after the electric automaker welcomed hundreds of fans to downtown Austin to ride in the driverless Cybercabs. Tesla plans to deploy the vehicles on its Robotaxi ride-hail network, which is currently operating in a handful of cities in Texas and Florida. 就在调查启动的几小时前，这家电动汽车制造商刚刚在奥斯汀市中心迎接了数百名粉丝，让他们体验了这款无人驾驶的 Cybercab。特斯拉计划将其部署在旗下的 Robotaxi 网约车网络中，该网络目前已在德克萨斯州和佛罗里达州的少数几个城市运营。

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is updating vehicle standards to make it easier and faster for driverless cars to deploy on public roads. It’s currently tweaking eight rules, including those requiring car parts that driverless cars don’t really need: brake pedals, windshield wipers, and rearview mirrors. But for now, years-old standards remain in place. 美国国家公路交通安全管理局（NHTSA）正在更新车辆标准，旨在让无人驾驶汽车能更轻松、更快速地在公共道路上部署。目前，该机构正在调整八项规则，其中包括那些要求安装无人驾驶汽车并不真正需要的部件的规定，例如刹车踏板、雨刷器和后视镜。但就目前而言，沿用多年的旧标准依然有效。

Meanwhile, unusually shaped robotaxi companies have been told to apply for an exemption from federal rules before they start picking up passengers. Amazon subsidiary Zoox, whose vehicles do not have steering wheels or manual controls, won the first of these exemptions this summer, which limits its operations to 2,500 vehicles this year. Tesla, however, has said it doesn’t need an exemption because its vehicles comply with all existing safety standards. 与此同时，那些外形独特的自动驾驶出租车公司已被告知，在开始接载乘客前，必须申请联邦规则豁免。亚马逊旗下的子公司 Zoox 的车辆没有方向盘或手动控制装置，该公司在今年夏天获得了首个此类豁免，其今年的运营规模被限制在 2,500 辆以内。然而，特斯拉表示其无需申请豁免，因为其车辆符合所有现行的安全标准。

The investigation, called an Audit Query, will examine the data and process that Tesla used to make that determination, according to a government filing. In a statement, NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency “fully supports the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles. But as the federal regulator, we need to ensure that all of our laws are followed.” Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 根据一份政府文件，这项被称为“审计查询”（Audit Query）的调查将审查特斯拉得出上述结论所依据的数据和流程。NHTSA 局长乔纳森·莫里森（Jonathan Morrison）在一份声明中表示，该机构“全力支持自动驾驶汽车的安全开发和部署。但作为联邦监管机构，我们需要确保所有法律得到遵守。”特斯拉未立即回应置评请求。

Ann Carlson, a former acting NHTSA administrator who is now a professor of environmental law at UCLA, says the investigation is likely “an indication that NHTSA is super frustrated with Tesla.” The agency made clear through the Zoox case that it expects driverless vehicle developers to go through the exemption process. “For Tesla to slap them in the face and ignore that—that is gobsmacking,” she says. 曾任 NHTSA 代理局长、现为加州大学洛杉矶分校环境法教授的安·卡尔森（Ann Carlson）表示，这项调查很可能“表明 NHTSA 对特斯拉感到非常沮丧”。该机构通过 Zoox 的案例明确表示，期望无人驾驶汽车开发商走豁免程序。“特斯拉竟然打他们的脸并无视这一点，这简直令人震惊，”她说。

This kind of federal investigation can prove consequential. NHTSA can require an automaker to change its vehicle or process. The agency can also pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties. Volvo Group North America paid $130 million in penalties in 2023 after an investigation into its recall process. The company also agreed to three years of oversight by a third-party auditor. 此类联邦调查可能会产生严重后果。NHTSA 可以要求汽车制造商更改其车辆设计或流程。该机构还可以采取执法行动，包括处以民事罚款。沃尔沃北美集团在 2023 年因其召回流程受到调查后，支付了 1.3 亿美元的罚款。该公司还同意接受第三方审计机构为期三年的监督。

The Cybercabs are, in many ways, symbols of Tesla’s intended future. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla should no longer be regarded as an automaker, but as a robotics and autonomous vehicle company. While 45 of these vehicles are in Texas’ Tesla fleet right now, a state database shows, the company intends to deploy millions annually. 在许多方面，Cybercab 是特斯拉未来愿景的象征。首席执行官埃隆·马斯克（Elon Musk）曾表示，特斯拉不应再被视为一家汽车制造商，而应被视为一家机器人和自动驾驶汽车公司。尽管州数据库显示目前德克萨斯州的特斯拉车队中只有 45 辆此类车辆，但该公司计划每年部署数百万辆。