JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tesla’s new Cybercab service officially launched in Austin, Texas on Friday, but you may have caught a glimpse of the gold-colored vehicles on Jacksonville streets in recent weeks.
Action News Jax observed several Cybercabs driving around the Southside on Friday, with drivers behind the wheel.
While Tesla did not respond when asked to confirm whether the tech is being tested on Jacksonville roadways, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office did confirm Tesla has been coordinating with the agency during the initial rollout of Cybercabs in the city.
News that Jacksonville may soon have a fully autonomous taxi service coming to town is already generating excitement among city leaders.
“That’s the future and it’s here. It’s happening today,” said Jacksonville City Council Member Rory Diamond (R-District 13).
Diamond, who serves as council liaison to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, argued the impending launch of Cybercab service in Jacksonville puts further scrutiny on the city’s own investments in self-driving shuttle services.
Action News Jax has extensively covered low ridership, high costs and technology issues surrounding JTA’s Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI) shuttle program.
“Now, it absolutely makes no sense. The private sector was always gonna do this better than any government. Now they are. It’s here,” said Diamond.
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But immediately after Tesla launched the service in Austin, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an investigation into the Cybercab.
That investigation is looking into whether Cybercabs meet federal standards that require cars to have things like rearview mirrors, brake pedals and steering wheels - all things the Cybercabs lack.
Under state law surrounding autonomous vehicles, it seems the Cybercabs have the all-clear to operate on Florida roads. But, if it’s determined the self-driving taxis are out of compliance with federal regulations, that would likely delay the full rollout of the service here in Florida.
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Diamond said he hopes those questions are answered quickly, to keep the door open for the technology to fully roll out here in Jacksonville.
“We’ll figure out what the feds are going to do soon enough, but ultimately that’s what we’re gonna have,” said Diamond. ”By the way, this whole NAVI system is not street legal without a driver. So, at least this is driverless.”
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