Tesla robotaxi incidents caught on camera in Austin draw regulators' attention

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reached out to Tesla following alarming videos that surfaced online, showcasing the company's robotaxis navigating public roads in Austin, Texas, in a troubling manner. The electric vehicle manufacturer, led by Elon Musk, recently launched its autonomous taxi service in Austin, initially open to a select group of invited users. Footage circulating on social media depicted one Tesla robotaxi traveling against traffic, while another was seen making abrupt stops amidst moving vehicles, seemingly reacting to stationary police cars that were not in its immediate route. An NHTSA spokesperson confirmed via email that the agency is aware of these incidents and is actively seeking more information from Tesla. Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, and regulatory counsel Casey Blaine did not respond to requests for comments. The NHTSA clarified that it does not pre-approve new vehicle technologies but instead relies on automakers to ensure their models adhere to federal safety standards. The agency indicated it would investigate reports of potential safety defects and take necessary steps to ensure road safety. This scrutiny follows the agency's ongoing investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology after several accidents, some of which resulted in injuries and fatalities. The Austin robotaxis, which are Model Y SUVs outfitted with the latest FSD Unsupervised software and hardware, are part of a pilot program that currently includes fewer than 20 vehicles. This service operates only during daylight and in favorable weather conditions, with a human safety supervisor present in the passenger seat. Currently, the robotaxi service is restricted to invited users, primarily advocates of Tesla's brand and stock. While the launch boosted Tesla's stock by 8% on Monday, it has not met the ambitious expectations set by Musk over the years. Musk had promised full autonomy for Tesla vehicles within three years back in 2015, and subsequent predictions included a fully autonomous vehicle capable of cross-country travel by 2017. In 2019, he projected that one million robotaxi-ready vehicles would be on the road by 2020, generating substantial income for their owners. However, these goals remain unachieved. In contrast, competitors like Waymo have recently celebrated a milestone of 10 million paid rides, while Chinese firms such as Baidu's Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony.ai continue to expand their own commercial robotaxi services.