Tesla’s pilot robotaxi fleet service that began in Austin, Texas on June 22 is hardly a shell of the vision that was initially promised. Initially billed as something any Tesla with Full Self-Driving could do (thus letting the owner make money as small taxi business when not using the car), there’s not a single Cybercab in sight on any public street.
Instead, the pilot program uses the Tesla Model Y as a taxi platform, and it still requires a paid human occupant to monitor the situation at all times. Now, it’s been reported that some glaring errors have already happened at least a few times, to the point where the vehicles may have violated traffic laws. And the government has some questions.
- Base Trim Transmission
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Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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425 HP
Potential Safety Risks
Bloomberg first reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already reached out to Tesla just a few days into its taxi service in Austin to investigate claims and evidence of self-driving Model Ys breaking the law. In some instances, vehicles exceeded the speed limit, or stopped in the middle of intersections, potentially causing disruption and, of course, posing a safety risk. Bloomberg reports that the NHTSA’s request to Tesla for more information regarding these incidents is not quite a full investigation of wrongdoing just yet, but rather just NHTSA checking in on the early days of the program, likely to show Tesla it’s watching.
NHTSA Looking Into FSD… Again
“NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,” the administration said in a statement to Bloomberg. Tesla’s so-called Full Self-Driving is already the subject of a separate NHTSA investigation, but these incidents do not appear to be tied into that just yet. The company has come under scrutiny multiple times for various incidents regarding its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems over the years. The State of California found it to be misrepresenting the vehicle capabilities in advertising, which is the same issue that France is now taking with Tesla.
Maybe NHTSA Should Pre-Approve Stuff…
Here’s what the agency sent TechCrunch:
“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.”
Related
Tesla’s Texas Robotaxi Revolution Is More Of A Baby Step
Texas lawmakers have challenged Tesla’s upcoming Robotaxi launch, which is already scaled back from what was initially promised.
Reports indicate that some Tesla vehicles traveled the wrong way down the road, with occupants capturing video of the incident, and another video shows a Model Y allegedly slamming on the brakes for a stationary police vehicle that isn’t in its path, seemingly confusing the system. Across various reports, it does not seem like Tesla has responded to any requests for comment regarding these incidents just yet. A message to Tesla’s media account from CarBuzz seeking comment on the issue has not been returned.
Source: Bloomberg, TechCrunch, CNET, AutoNews
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