Since its commercial debut in Austin, Tesla’s Cybercab has not been involved in any significant safety incidents or collisions. However, the absence of accidents has not quelled concerns among first responders regarding the vehicle’s design, particularly its lack of manual driving controls and distinctive door mechanisms.
Austin Fire Captain Matt McElearney stated in an interview with CNBC that while Tesla has provided comprehensive emergency guidelines and training for handling Cybercabs and Model Y Robotaxis, these measures are insufficient. He advocated for national or state-level regulations requiring autonomous vehicles without steering wheels or pedals to offer a method for public safety personnel to take control, steer, or shut down the vehicle during both emergencies and routine events.
McElearney also emphasized that because autonomous vehicle performance can fluctuate due to software updates or bugs, regulators should implement a “dynamic certification” process requiring continuous testing throughout the vehicle’s lifespan. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these regulatory suggestions.
Public sentiment also reflects significant hesitation. According to a September 2026 report by Electric Vehicle Intelligence, based on surveys by Slingshot Strategies, half of U.S. respondents said they would not feel comfortable riding in a robotaxi lacking traditional controls. Furthermore, 70% of respondents indicated that Tesla should pause rides after news emerged of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into the Cybercab.
Shifting this public perception is critical for CEO Elon Musk as Tesla seeks to establish itself in the driverless sector. The company’s immediate growth strategy involves expanding operations beyond Austin to cities across Texas, including San Antonio and Dallas, as well as entering Nevada and Florida, where favorable state laws and climate conditions benefit autonomous vehicle testing.
Musk previously projected at the World Economic Forum in January that robotaxis would be “very, very widespread” across the United States by the end of 2026, a milestone that has not yet been met. Meanwhile, Tesla remains excluded from California’s autonomous ride-hailing market, where competitors like Waymo have already secured permits and established a visible presence in multiple cities.
Following Tesla’s recent deliveries report, analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald highlighted the substantial market opportunity. They noted that management had previously indicated the Cybercab is expected to become the highest-volume vehicle in Tesla’s lineup once production scales up.
No steering wheel is a huge red flag for me. Until I see real-world data beyond Austin, I’m staying on the bus.
Dynamic certification sounds like a good idea. Software changes constantly; relying on a one-time safety check feels reckless.
Waymo has been operating in California for years. How is Tesla still playing catch-up in the biggest markets?
Half of us wouldn’t ride this? Maybe Tesla should have waited until public trust actually existed before expanding nationwide.
I get why firefighters worry, but if it’s designed to be safe, why force manual overrides? Seems like resistance to progress.