Robotaxis are likely to appear on the streets more soon, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcing revised rules for the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) in US cities. After trials by Uber in Pittsburgh, General Motors' Cruise in the Bay Area, and Waymo in San Francisco, the new policies will make it easier for automakers to apply self-driving technology commercially. While these rules emphasize robo-taxis for ride-hailing services, autonomous cars for personal use are still a long way off.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy revealed the new policy, saying, "The US needs to move forward in the innovation race with China. Our framework will reduce bureaucracy, ensure safety, and incentivize innovation." NHTSA’s new guidelines will modernize the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), paving the way for the safe commercial deployment of AVs. The move is aimed at making the U.S. more competitive in the global AV market.
NHTSA’s new rules ease crash reporting requirements, streamlining the process by eliminating “unnecessary and duplicative” reporting. However, the agency did not specify the details of these changes. In addition, the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program, which was previously limited to imported AVs, is now open to domestically produced vehicles. The expansion will allow U.S. manufacturers to test non-compliant vehicles, which NHTSA claims will promote “innovation and safety.”
The rules are crucial for Tesla, as the company plans to deploy its CyberCab robotaxis, which have no steering wheel or pedals, in Austin, Texas, this summer. The new waiver program will allow Tesla to put these U.S.-made vehicles on the road without having to comply with FMVSS rules. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is an adviser to President Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been advocating for easing AV regulations. However, his dual roles at Tesla and DOGE have led to allegations of conflict of interest.
NHTSA’s decisions have not been without controversy. According to a report in the Financial Times, DOGE laid off 30 NHTSA employees in February, many of whom worked on vehicle automation safety. This has raised concerns within the agency, particularly about Musk’s influence. High-profile accidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot system have also raised criticism of the easing of crash reporting requirements.
While the new rules are a significant step forward for the AV industry, the balance between safety and innovation is a matter of debate. As robotaxis become commonplace in U.S. cities, NHTSA’s framework will be critical to the safe and effective adoption of the technology. But concerns about the agency’s oversight and Musk’s influence raise questions about the future of this change.