Tesla's Robotaxi Nightmare Regulators Step In!

US Safety Regulators Contact Tesla Over Erratic Robotaxis

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has contacted Tesla following the debut of its long-awaited robotaxis in Austin, Texas. This move comes after footage circulating on social media allegedly depicted the vehicles violating traffic laws and exhibiting erratic behavior. The BBC has reached out to Tesla for comment, but so far, there has been no official statement from the company.

In a statement, the NHTSA stated, it was "aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information."

Here's a breakdown of what we know:

• Initial Launch: Tesla's robotaxis were tested on public roads for the first time in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
• Limited Rollout: The launch was intentionally low-key, involving a small group of invited analysts, influencers, and shareholders who participated in paid rides.
• Musk's Perspective: Elon Musk hailed the launch as the "culmination of a decade of hard work," congratulating Tesla's AI and chip design teams.
• Social Media Concerns: Despite the positive spin, social media footage suggests the vehicles struggled with real-world driving scenarios.

Examples of Erratic Behavior: Videos posted online appear to capture instances of the robotaxis driving erratically, including:

• Abruptly stopping while passing a parked police car.
• Allegations of speeding and swerving into the wrong lane, as reported by TechCrunch.

Restrictions and Limitations: Tesla has acknowledged the limitations of the current rollout:

• The initial fleet is limited to just 12 taxis.
• The robotaxis will not operate in bad weather.
• They will avoid difficult intersections.
• They will not carry customers under the age of 18.

Analysts' Skepticism: Industry analysts have already pointed out that this small-scale launch highlights the distance Tesla still needs to cover to catch up with competitors in the autonomous vehicle space.

Competition in the Self-Driving Taxi Market: Tesla is entering a market already occupied by established players:

• Waymo (owned by Google's parent Alphabet) and Zoox (owned by Amazon) already offer self-driving taxi rides in Austin, San Francisco, and Phoenix.
• Fully driverless cars have accumulated millions of miles on public roads in countries like China, UAE, and Singapore.

Tesla's Unique Approach: Tesla distinguishes itself from its rivals by relying on in-car cameras rather than radar and sensors. The company believes this approach will be more cost-effective and attractive to consumers.

Safety Concerns and Regulatory Oversight: Questions surrounding the safety of Tesla's technology persist. The NHTSA emphasizes that it does not pre-approve new technologies. Instead, manufacturers certify that their vehicles meet safety standards, and the agency investigates potential safety defects.

The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of Tesla's robotaxi program. The NHTSA's investigation and Tesla's response will undoubtedly shape public perception and regulatory scrutiny of autonomous vehicles.

Tags: Tesla, Robotaxis, Elon Musk, NHTSA, US regulators, Driverless cars, Autonomous vehicles, Tesla safety, AI, Texas

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg75zv4gny2o