NHTSA Proposes Removing the Brake Pedal on Autonomous Cars, Tesla Cybercab Benefits

Tesla Cybercab. (Photo: Tesla)

JAKARTA - The United States government has begun paving the way for the development of a new generation of autonomous vehicles (autonomous vehicles/AV) that no longer rely on physical controls such as the brake pedal and steering wheel.

As reported by Carscoops, Thursday, July 2, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal government proposed new rules. Where, removing the obligation to use manual brake control on vehicles designed to operate entirely using an automated driving system.

If the rule is enacted, this step will remove one of the biggest regulatory obstacles that have so far limited manufacturers, including Tesla, in developing specialized robotaxis and operating them on a large scale.

The policy is part of the Automated Vehicle Framework introduced during the Donald Trump administration. The aim is to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, which has so far assumed that every vehicle is controlled by a human.

However, this proposal does not mean that the government is loosening safety standards. Autonomous vehicles are still required to meet the same braking distance standards as conventional cars, only that the testing process will use a method that is tailored to the characteristics of driverless vehicles.

Meanwhile, vehicles that are still equipped with steering wheels and pedals must still follow the current regulations. With this change, manufacturers who want to develop vehicles without pedals or steering wheels have legal certainty that the testing and certification process can be carried out in accordance with regulations.

NHTSA also stated that it was drafting a more comprehensive performance standard for autonomous driving systems. In addition, the agency will continue to monitor potential defects, dangerous behaviors, and conduct investigations into vehicle recalls involving automated driving technology.

For Tesla, this regulatory change has the potential to be an important momentum. The reason is that the Cybercab concept was originally designed without a steering wheel or pedals, so the rules that have been in place so far are one of the biggest challenges for the realization of the vehicle.

Currently, Tesla is still focusing on launching a limited robotaxi service in Austin while waiting for regulatory developments. The company also stated that it was ready to add a steering wheel and pedals if the legal provisions still required it.

On the other hand, Zoox has obtained an exemption that allows them to test robotaxis designed without manual controls and is now pursuing approval to operate a commercial service.

The proposed regulation is now entering a 30-day public comment period. If it is later officially enacted, this policy has the potential to become an important milestone in the development of the autonomous vehicle industry, as well as changing the paradigm that the future car no longer has to be built with the assumption that there is always a human driver behind the wheel.