NHTSA Proposes Cyan Lights for Robotaxis to Signal Automation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a proposal to require a distinctive blue-green light on autonomous vehicles. This cyan marker would indicate to other road users that a machine, not a human, is operating the car.

The agency released these amendments to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. The goal is to create a national standard for how robotaxis communicate with their surroundings. NHTSA stated that the lights would clearly signal when an automated driving system is active. The color choice avoids conflict with existing red, amber, white, and emergency vehicle lights.

The proposal makes the cyan lights optional for manufacturers. However, NHTSA intends to set strict federal requirements for their color, brightness, and placement. This approach aims to prevent a patchwork of different signals. Companies like Waymo, Nuro, and Zoox, along with automakers such as GM and Mercedes, could adopt the same legal configuration.

NHTSA also proposes to remove lighting rules that depend on a human driver. The agency would scrap requirements for physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and turn levers. It would also update the 12.8-volt testing standard to accommodate modern LED systems. The agency is considering dropping rules about the vertical placement of high-beam and low-beam lights.

These changes align with the Department of Transportation’s push to accelerate autonomous vehicle deployment. The government seeks to ease the creation of cars without traditional human controls like steering wheels and pedals. Mercedes-Benz previously received state approval for turquoise lights on its Level 3 Drive Pilot vehicles, though it has since shifted to a different system.

Existing rules remain in force until the new standard is finalized. Last month, NHTSA opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab. The review examines the technical data Tesla used to certify the vehicle. The agency is concerned about the absence of sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel, features currently required by federal standards.