Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dalton99a

(94,274 posts)
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:23 PM Mar 20

Tesla to roll out new model with no steering wheel or pedals

https://apnews.com/article/tesla-selfdriving-musk-regulators-7edce5705e93775e1b8bb77b5dd54007

Tesla faces wider probe of self-driving feature as it prepares to sell cars without steering wheels
By BERNARD CONDON
Updated 3:14 PM CDT, March 19, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal auto regulators have escalated a probe of Tesla after several of its cars crashed while using its self-driving feature, just as CEO Elon Musk prepares to roll out a new model with no steering wheel or pedals.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a memo dated March 18 that it was examining nine crashes where the self-driving software failed to quickly alert drivers to take control in fog and other poor conditions because the vehicle’s cameras weren’t picking out road hazards. The NHTSA memo signals a regulatory investigation begun in 2024 over poor visibility crashes could now lead to enforcement action, possibly including a recall of 3.2 million Tesla vehicles.

The increased regulatory scrutiny comes as Tesla is trying to convince investors that the future of the company lies less in selling cars as sales drop and more in making its self-driving software ubiquitous. Musk has said he will soon turn millions of Tesla cars already on the road into taxis that their owners can rent out when they are not using them.

As part of that transition, Musk said Tesla will roll out its robotaxi service with no one behind the wheel in several U.S. cities this year. It is also planning to launch production of its no-wheel-no-pedal Cybercab to sell to customers next month.

...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heck, get rid of the stupid dashboard and put in a decent gaming monitor



19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Tesla to roll out new model with no steering wheel or pedals (Original Post) dalton99a Mar 20 OP
No thanks. efhmc Mar 20 #1
Tomb on wheels. chowder66 Mar 20 #2
And , hopefully dweller Mar 20 #3
I will NEVER use an autonomous taxi RainCaster Mar 20 #4
Of course....conditions have to be perfect purr-rat beauty Mar 20 #5
NY, CA, CO, IL, MA, WA, OR and VA need Boo1 Mar 20 #6
Republicans in Congress will have to pass a bill giving Tesla legal immunity from all the lawsuits. sop Mar 20 #7
More lies by Elon to bolster the most idiotic stock ever issued. flvegan Mar 20 #8
The Deathmobile. Vinca Mar 20 #9
What could go wrong? SheltieLover Mar 20 #10
BINGO! GiqueCee Mar 20 #15
I don't feel they should be allowed to be sold! SheltieLover Mar 20 #17
I agree! GiqueCee Mar 20 #19
He's loony. No one will buy this. Midnight Writer Mar 20 #11
So the fascist CEO JBTaurus83 Mar 20 #12
Where has Eloon been lately? clevergrrrl Mar 20 #13
I had to check: not the Onion or Borowitz? area51 Mar 20 #14
Prototype here. usonian Mar 20 #16
Sounds Like a Nefarious Population Reduction Plan. MineralMan Mar 20 #18

RainCaster

(13,738 posts)
4. I will NEVER use an autonomous taxi
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:28 PM
Mar 20

I prefer a real human, and I will never trust any technology that Musk has overseen.

purr-rat beauty

(1,266 posts)
5. Of course....conditions have to be perfect
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:29 PM
Mar 20

Imagine hoping the vehicle will make evasive moves in rough weather

Boo1

(360 posts)
6. NY, CA, CO, IL, MA, WA, OR and VA need
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:31 PM
Mar 20

To ban cars that don't have human override capability from public roads, including a human driver who can take over during operation.

sop

(18,685 posts)
7. Republicans in Congress will have to pass a bill giving Tesla legal immunity from all the lawsuits.
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:40 PM
Mar 20

Sort of like the immunity the firearms industry enjoys.

flvegan

(66,303 posts)
8. More lies by Elon to bolster the most idiotic stock ever issued.
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:43 PM
Mar 20

Tesla can't stop crashing into shit with drivers, steering wheels and brakes. This Cybercab shitbox isn't going to happen, at least not in the scope Elon lies...uh, I mean talks about. Not for a very long time anyway.

In other news Uber just invested $1billion plus into Rivian for robotaxis. That might tell you something. Not that this idea thrills me either (though I really want Rivian to be successful) but it's better than any horde of deathtraps fuckface Musk wants to unleash on the unsuspecting public.

GiqueCee

(4,305 posts)
15. BINGO!
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 01:16 PM
Mar 20

Took the words right outa my mouth!
The rattletraps with autopilot he's already selling are dangerously unreliable. Having no way to take control in an emergency definitely takes this week's prize for the dumbest fuckin' idea yet.

GiqueCee

(4,305 posts)
19. I agree!
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 02:31 PM
Mar 20

There are still WAY too many bugs to be ironed out, but the corporate mind dismisses such concerns.

JBTaurus83

(1,424 posts)
12. So the fascist CEO
Fri Mar 20, 2026, 12:50 PM
Mar 20

Could probably take control of any of these vehicles he wants if it Carrie’s someone he wants to take out. This shit is going too far and will end in corporate dictatorship and a living hell.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Tesla to roll out new mod...