Firefighters in Austin, Texas, have trained to move Tesla's new Cybercab using its touchscreen, but questions remain about its practicality in emergencies. The driverless taxi has no steering wheel or pedals, and Fire Captain Matthew McElearney told NBC News that gloved hands, sweat, or a cracked screen could prevent the display from working. A stalled Cybercab that firefighters can't move could delay a fire engine during a crisis.
Tesla began offering Cybercab rides to invited guests in Austin on 3 September, before opening rides to the wider public on 4 September. The Austin Fire Department later warned that the two-seat vehicle could block roads during emergencies. McElearney has called for federal safety rules that cover driverless cars.
