Elon Musk's Tesla Robotaxis in trouble after debut in Austin: Here's why
Tesla, owned by
Elon Musk
, has launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. But soon after the launch, federal safety officials contacted the company following videos that appeared to show the
self-driving cars
breaking traffic rules. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told TechCrunch that it is looking into the incidents. The agency said it has reached out to Tesla to collect more details.
As mentioned above, this comes just one day after Tesla launched its limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is offering rides to invited users in vehicles powered by its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is designed to operate without direct driver control.
What NHTSA said about Tesla Robotaxis violating traffic rules
'NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,' the company said in a statement.
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'NHTSA will continue to enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment, in accordance with the Vehicle Safety Act and our data-driven, risk-based investigative process. Under U.S. law, NHTSA does not pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems — rather, manufacturers certify that each vehicle meets NHTSA's rigorous safety standards, and the agency investigates incidents involving potential safety defects. Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety.'
Tesla robotaxi
vehicles currently operate with a human 'safety monitor' in the front passenger seat but are intended to drive without input. Tesla has not disclosed technical details of the unsupervised FSD software used in the robotaxis.
Several videos posted online show troubling behavior. In one clip, a Tesla robotaxi swerves into the wrong lane. In another, it appears to drive over the speed limit. Author and Tesla critic Ed Niedermeyer captured footage of two Tesla robotaxis unexpectedly braking while driving past parked police vehicles. The video has since been posted on YouTube.
NHTSA noted that under U.S. law, it does not pre-approve new vehicle technologies. Instead, manufacturers must certify their systems meet safety standards. The agency investigates potential defects and can take enforcement action if needed.
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