US approves Tesla radio technology for outdoor Cybercab EV charging

Tesla has received a significant regulatory approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology in an outdoor, fixed wireless charging system for its upcoming Cybercab robotaxi. The waiver, granted on February 18, 2026, exempts Tesla from two FCC rules that typically restrict UWB devices to handheld use and prohibit outdoor fixed antennas. This approval is crucial for Tesla’s wireless charging system, which relies on a ground-level pad installed outdoors to communicate with the vehicle for precise parking and alignment before charging. The Cybercab, a two-passenger, fully autonomous vehicle unveiled in October 2024 and produced at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, is expected to enter broader production by 2027 with a projected price of around $30,000. Tesla’s UWB system operates by first establishing a Bluetooth Low Energy connection between the vehicle and the charging pad, followed by brief, low-power UWB transmissions in the 7.7–