TechCrunch Mobility: All eyes on Tesla FSD

In the ever-evolving world of transportation technology, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities are facing intense scrutiny following a tragic incident in Texas that resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman. The driver reported that the vehicle's Autopilot system was engaged during the crash, which has since been discontinued. However, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's Vice President of AI Software, asserted on social media that the driver manually overrode the system by fully pressing the accelerator in a residential area, suggesting the vehicle was operating on FSD rather than Autopilot. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain unclear as independent investigations are yet to confirm the details. This incident has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to launch investigations into the crash. In a related development, Tesla recently settled a lawsuit associated with a fatal crash involving FSD. This case is part of a broader NHTSA investigation that examines whether FSD can adequately detect and respond to challenging visibility conditions, such as fog and glare. As Tesla continues to market itself as a leader in AI and robotics, FSD remains its most prominent and revenue-generating product. Meanwhile, Waymo, another key player in autonomous driving, is making strides with its Ojai robotaxi fleet. The company has partnered with Zeekr, a subsidiary of Geely, to supply electric vehicles designed specifically for robotaxi services. These vehicles, manufactured in China, will be equipped with Waymo's advanced self-driving technology before being introduced to the U.S. market. Research from MoffettNathanson indicates that Waymo is on track to import over 3,000 vehicles into the U.S. this year, highlighting the company’s aggressive expansion in the autonomous vehicle sector. Additionally, Aseon Labs, a startup focused on developing mobile pods for robotaxi maintenance, has raised $10 million in seed funding, showcasing the growing interest in autonomous vehicle technology. In other notable news, Lucid Motors has announced significant layoffs, cutting approximately 1,500 jobs as part of a strategy to streamline operations. Meanwhile, Lyft has clarified its policy regarding the types of sensors allowed on vehicles operating within its network, effectively excluding Tesla’s FSD-equipped vehicles that rely solely on cameras. As the autonomous vehicle landscape continues to change, companies like Waymo and Tesla are at the forefront of innovation, facing both opportunities and challenges in their pursuit of safer and more efficient transportation solutions.