Tesla Robotaxi passenger captures video of self-driving vehicle's dangerous mistake: 'A perfectly garbage performance'
What's happening?
Influencers for the YouTube channel Munro Live (@MunroLive) were invited to test a Tesla Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, where Tesla first launched the Robotaxi service. Barely a minute into the test ride, the vehicle chose to make a left turn from a non-turning lane.
A safety operator — a human who sits in the vehicle to monitor Robotaxi trips — used a kill switch to override autonomous driving mode. This caused the vehicle to stop in the middle of the intersection, nearly blocking traffic from all sides, until the safety operator felt it was safe to continue the ride.
One video commenter pointed out: "It wasn't due to traffic. The car didn't understand that intersection at all."
Why is this concerning?
While the incident didn't cause an accident, it could have. And it highlights why many people are hesitant to share the road with self-driving vehicles, let alone buy one even with supervised autonomous features for themselves.
Tesla is consistently working toward improving the convenience, efficiency, and eco-friendliness of EVs. But incidents like this could shake consumer confidence in the brand and other EVs. Safety concerns give buyers pause, which could slow EV adoption at a time when broader climate goals depend on it.
Tesla has faced similar setbacks in the past, including a widespread recall to fix problems with its supervised Full Self-Driving software. Combined with general uneasiness about the safety of the Robotaxi service, these issues could lead consumers to stick to what they know: planet-polluting gas-powered cars.
What's being done to improve autonomous driving for EVs?
The good news is that Tesla's initial Austin launch was designed for this type of testing. Safety operators sit in on rides to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, and they, along with test riders, can report any feedback or concerns to Tesla.
With enough testing and reconfiguring of autonomous driving systems, it's possible that these vehicles could become the (safer) future. Tesla trains its software on once-in-a-lifetime situations to help it learn exactly what to do in virtually any situation. This real-world data helps the system evolve over time, ideally reducing errors like the one in Austin.
For now, it's important to remember that EVs and auto-driving don't go hand in hand. You can still make your next car an EV if you aren't yet confident in autonomous systems.
Self-driving features (which require active supervision) are optional in Tesla vehicles, as well as in EVs from other brands, like Ford and Mercedes-Benz. Many EVs don't offer the tech at all, so you can still reduce your carbon footprint without committing to Autopilot.
Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street?
Definitely
No way
Depends on the brand
Depends on the situation
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Guggenheim Reiterates Sell on Tesla (TSLA) Despite FSD and Robotaxi Updates
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is one the On August 12, Guggenheim analyst Ronald Jewsikow reiterated a Sell rating on the stock with a $175.00 price target. The firm said that it is sticking with its sell rating and that it is cautious on the company's full self-driving. CEO Elon Musk unveiled some important updates around both the Robotaxi operations in Austin and the upcoming FSD model. The updates were made in a series of posts on X over the weekend. While Tesla shares 'somewhat paradoxically' rallied on the news, names like Uber and Lyft who were previously sensitive to Tesla autonomy, did too. The firm considers this as 'mixed signals from the market.' Hadrian / 'On the Robotaxi operations in Austin, CEO Musk indicated it would be open to the public next month, which we believe is earlier than investor expectations and a sign of confidence in the service and feedback from the invite-only riders to date. We believe the expanded FSD model has positive implications for bulls focused on the potential for TSLAs fleet eventually becoming Robotaxis (positive read on inference compute), and the opening of the Austin Robotaxi experience to the public is a key step on the growth path of inviting a potentially more critical set of consumers. While safety drivers will remain, and no timeline has been provided for their removal, bulls have been willing to overlook the optics of safety drivers in TSLA vehicles, and we see no reason why that would change now.' Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is an automotive and clean energy company that leverages advanced artificial intelligence in its autonomous driving technology and robotics initiatives. While we acknowledge the potential of TSLA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
How to diagnose common car problems
You might not know the difference between a radiator and an alternator, but that doesn't mean you don't have a role to play in figuring out whether something is wrong with your car. You're probably more familiar with your car than anyone else is, so there's a good chance you know when something's amiss. Here are some suggestions for diagnosing common car problems. Use your senses and your experience You might not know what's causing a problem, but you probably know there is a problem. Let your senses and what's been normal be a guide. Ask yourself some questions. If those kinds of questions prompt a 'yes,' you may have a problem that needs some attention. Another bit of advice: Don't ignore warning lights. Gather information Whether you feel comfortable working on your car or you always take it to a mechanic, you can smooth the process by collecting as much information as possible. Automotive expert Claude Townsend suggests making that as specific as possible. Mechanics need to be able to interpret what a customer is explaining about an issue and try to duplicate the situation where the problem occurs. 'Does the problem happen when the car goes down the road, when it stops, turning left, right, day, night, bumpy roads, smooth roads, dry conditions, wet conditions?' Townsend asked, noting that some issues seem to happen only at certain speeds, which can be critical information to pass on. Providing complete details about when the issue worsens can speed the path toward an accurate answer and resolution, says Townsend, program coordinator and master instructor in automotive service at Oakland Community College. Make it visual Pictures and videos are an easy way to take the interpretation out of your explanation. Townsend says it's a great way to clearly convey what's wrong. Mimicking a rattling noise might do the job, but if a mechanic can hear the actual noise you're concerned about, it cuts out some of the guesswork. Townsend, however, notes that you should always keep safety in mind. Don't try to take photos and videos while you're driving. You might consider asking a friend or family member to tag along and be your videographer or set up a device holder so it can record while you drive. Some issues aren't really issues If the air conditioner doesn't instantly cool down the inside of your ride, it could mean it's just a really hot day. Drivers might have expectations that the A/C will keep the inside of their car as cool on a 100-degree day as on an 80-degree day, but Townsend notes these systems have limitations, allowing them to cool to generally about 20 degrees less than the ambient temperature. But one key to a hot car is that the materials themselves absorb heat, and that heat will need to dissipate. Cooling the car is not instantaneous, Townsend says, noting that you can roll down your windows to let some of that heat escape. How much do you know? Townsend says he's torn by the tendency to check YouTube or other sources online to diagnose car problems. On one hand, it's great to see people take an active interest in their vehicles, and sometimes the information available is correct; on the other hand, sometimes that awesome tutorial online is simply wrong, he says. Professional mechanics are trained, possibly on the specific vehicle you drive. They also have access to service bulletins, recall information and details about specific problems that an automaker might know is wrong with a particular model, and they've developed tips and tricks over the years to deal with issues that crop up, Townsend says. They also have tools for the job at hand. If you're diagnosing a problem and attempting to repair it yourself, you might have the skills and the ability to do it correctly – and you might save money. Or you might create a bigger, more costly headache or a safety issue that sends you to a professional in the end. 'I want everybody to be safe on the road. If you don't have the knowledge or the tools to do it, just pay the money (and) have a professional do it. They have insurance. They have the tools to do it,' Townsend says. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
PennDOT and AAA team up to discuss back to school commute safety
With the return to school comes reminders about safety. Whether you're riding in a school bus, maybe driving something smaller, or even walking, the message from AAA East Central and PennDOT is clear: everyone needs to be in on making the trips to and from school safe. For drivers, that may require starting your commute a little bit earlier, so you're not rushing to your destination. "It's crucial that you take steps so that you're not stressed out because then when you're stressed, you're more tempted to do more dangerous things behind the wheel," Jim Garrity of AAA East Central said. If you have younger kids walking to school, you may want to go over safety tips before they go back. "Do it a couple of times before school starts just so that they feel comfortable and confident," Yasmeen Manyisha of PennDOT District 11 said. For teenagers who may be driving to school, it's important to root out any distractions that could take their eyes off the road. "If that means putting the cell phone in the back seat, if that means putting the do not disturb function on your phone, do it," Garrity said. Garrity also said that one of the biggest distractions for teenagers is other teenagers who may provide distractions as passengers. Parents should speak with teenagers even though they may not think they have to listen to safety tips. It's more than talking with them, Garrity said; parents must be good examples. But it's also more than that – it's showing the right behaviors as well. "If you are a distracted driver or an aggressive driver, chances are they'll end up one too," he said. When it comes to being safe on school buses, Manyisha said that parents should make sure kids aren't acting up or walking on the bus. Actions that end up distracting bus drivers can put everyone on the bus at risk. If there's an emergency, like a crash or a bus fire, Manyisha says kids should know where the emergency exits are. For example, every bus has one on the back door. "There should be one on each side, there should be one on the roof," Manyisha said. If you need to get out of a school bus in an emergency? Do not rush to the back and jump out the door. "Make sure you're sitting down on the floor, and kind of scooting out of the bus," Manyisha said.
