Additional Coverage:
- U.S. regulators are circling after Tesla’s Robotaxi launch included unexpected behavior and potentially broken traffic laws (fortune.com)
Tesla’s Robotaxi Debut: Cheers and Concerns
Austin, TX – Tesla’s highly anticipated Robotaxi launch event this past Sunday generated excitement among analysts, but also raised concerns after videos surfaced online showing some vehicles behaving erratically. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed it is in contact with Tesla seeking further information.
The exclusive event, primarily for Tesla investors, analysts, and influencers, offered the first public glimpse of the company’s “unsupervised” robotaxi technology, an advancement on its existing Full Self-Driving (supervised) system. While some analysts, like Wedbush’s Dan Ives, lauded the technology as “the future,” videos taken by attendees painted a different picture.
Some clips showed vehicles hesitating at intersections, crossing double yellow lines, and braking unexpectedly near stopped police vehicles. These incidents prompted the NHTSA to reach out to Tesla on Monday.
In a statement, the NHTSA emphasized its commitment to road safety and its ongoing role in enforcing vehicle safety standards. The agency confirmed it is gathering information and will take necessary action to protect public safety. This contact follows an ongoing NHTSA investigation into crashes involving Tesla vehicles using the Full Self-Driving (supervised) technology.
While legal experts say the NHTSA’s contact with Tesla doesn’t automatically signify a formal investigation, it does signal heightened scrutiny. Some experts see the situation as an opportunity to develop more comprehensive regulations surrounding autonomous vehicle technology.
Others suggest the NHTSA’s involvement could be a positive step toward industry standardization and best practices. Tesla has not yet publicly responded to the incidents or the NHTSA’s inquiry.