Federal safety regulators are reviewing how Tesla self-certified the steering-wheel-free Cybercab under existing U.S. vehicle safety standards.

Tesla’s Cybercab is facing immediate scrutiny from U.S. safety regulators.

Just hours after Tesla began charging passengers for Cybercab rides in Austin on September 3, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an audit covering approximately 1,000 vehicles.

What NHTSA Wants to Know

The audit is not primarily about how well the Cybercab drives itself.

Instead, regulators are examining how Tesla determined the vehicle complied with federal safety requirements despite its unusual design.

The Tesla Cybercab has no steering wheel, pedals, or conventional mirrors.

The two-seat robotaxi was designed without a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors, while many existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards were written around conventional vehicles.

NHTSA says it will examine how Tesla’s certification relied on determinations that certain safety standards were not applicable to the Cybercab.

Tesla Relied on Self-Certification

Under the current U.S. system, automakers generally self-certify compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards before selling vehicles.

NHTSA can later audit those certifications or investigate potential defects.

Tesla used the U.S. self-certification system to begin deploying the Cybercab without waiting for advance federal approval.

The agency has emphasized that existing standards remain applicable to automated vehicles until new regulations are created specifically for driverless vehicles.

Tesla chose this route instead of seeking a formal exemption.

Zoox Took a Different Path

Amazon’s Zoox provides a useful comparison.

Its own steering-wheel-free vehicle initially went through self-certification before the company withdrew that claim following an NHTSA investigation.

Zoox eventually received a temporary exemption for its unconventional driverless vehicle.

Zoox later secured a temporary exemption allowing limited deployment of up to 2,500 exempt vehicles annually through July 31, 2028.

Tesla, meanwhile, wants to rapidly expand Cybercab operations to additional vehicles and cities.

The outcome of the Tesla Cybercab audit could therefore become important for how quickly that expansion happens and how regulators treat purpose-built autonomous vehicles under the current U.S. safety framework.

Rivian is bringing the R2’s redesigned software experience to the R1T and R1S through an over-the-air update, adding a refreshed interface, smarter navigation alerts, and improved AI assistance.

Rivian is making its latest software experience available to existing customers.

The new RivianOS 2 interface, originally introduced with the R2, is now rolling out to the R1T pickup and R1S SUV through over-the-air update 2026.31.

R1 Models Get the R2’s New Interface

The update gives R1 owners a redesigned infotainment experience without needing to move to the newer R2.

Controls can now change dynamically depending on what the driver is doing, while several control panels can be repositioned on the center display.

RivianOS 2 brings the R2’s redesigned interface to existing R1T and R1S models.

Rivian has also redesigned its settings system.

The new Settings 2 experience uses context-based controls and adds a search function, making it easier to find individual vehicle settings.

More Navigation and Connected Features

The update also adds real-time route alerts powered by Google Maps.

Drivers can receive warnings about speed cameras, police presence, and other road conditions.

RivianOS 2 adds Google Maps-based route alerts, including warnings for speed cameras and police activity.

Owners with Connect+ also receive a dedicated weather application with real-time conditions.

The Rivian mobile app can now be used to start, monitor, and update trips while they are underway.

R1 and R2 Now Share More Software

Rivian is also creating a more unified software experience across its lineup.

Future operating-system improvements are expected to apply across both R1 and R2 vehicles, although hardware differences will still limit some features.

The R2 and newer R1 models can display more advanced 3D vehicle graphics thanks to more powerful hardware.

For example, the R2 and second-generation R1 models use Unreal Engine 5 for their graphics, while the original R1T and R1S use Unreal Engine 4.

The older models also receive improved cloud-based AI voice assistance, while newer vehicles can take advantage of both connected and offline AI thanks to more powerful computers.

The R2 retains some hardware advantages, including its faster infotainment processor and Haptic Halo Wheels.

Still, RivianOS 2 gives R1 owners a much more modern software experience and helps bring the company’s older and newer vehicles closer together.

Kia’s PV5 infotainment system earned a Bronze award at the 2026 IDEA Awards, while the automaker’s Ocean Cleanup campaign was named a finalist.

Kia has received two major recognitions at the 2026 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).

The Kia PV5 Infotainment System earned a Bronze award in the Digital Interaction category, while Kia’s global campaign with The Ocean Cleanup was selected as a finalist in Social Impact Design.

PV5 Infotainment Wins Bronze

The infotainment system was developed for Kia’s first dedicated electric Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV).

Its design focuses on creating a flexible, software-driven experience for different business and lifestyle applications.

The Kia PV5 infotainment system earned a Bronze award for its user-centered digital design.

The interface uses a 16:9 widescreen layout with multi-view functionality, allowing users to access media, camera, and HVAC functions simultaneously.

Kia also uses common typography, icons, widgets, and media elements to create a consistent experience between the vehicle’s physical and digital interfaces.

Ocean Cleanup Campaign Reaches Finalist Stage

Kia’s “Kia x The Ocean Cleanup: Creating a Wave of Movement, Together” campaign was named a finalist in the Social Impact Design category.

The campaign consists of a seven-part video series focused on plastic pollution and The Ocean Cleanup’s environmental work.

Kia’s Ocean Cleanup campaign was recognized for combining sustainability storytelling with a consistent visual identity.

Kia says The Ocean Cleanup has removed more than 42 million kilograms of marine waste to date.

The campaign connects that work with Kia’s “Movement” philosophy while using design to communicate environmental issues in a more accessible way.

Why the IDEA Awards Matter

The International Design Excellence Awards, presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America, are considered one of the leading global design competitions.

Entries are evaluated on factors including innovation, user benefit, aesthetics, societal impact, and business value.

The 2026 IDEA Awards recognized Kia’s work in both digital interaction and social impact design.

For Kia PV5 infotainment, the Bronze award highlights the company’s push toward software-defined mobility, while the Ocean Cleanup finalist recognition demonstrates how Kia is also using design to support broader sustainability initiatives.