Tesla Robotaxi Launch Faces Safety and Scrutiny

Tesla's new robotaxi service in Austin has encountered immediate safety problems, including vehicles veering into oncoming lanes, improper passenger drop-offs, 'phantom braking,' and failures to recognize reversing vehicles. Viral videos of these incidents have attracted attention from federal regulators, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting further information from Tesla but not initiating a formal investigation yet. Human safety monitors remain present in each vehicle and have had to intervene multiple times, contrary to earlier promises of unsupervised rides. The system's reliance on cameras instead of LiDAR, unlike competitors such as Waymo, has prompted further scrutiny. The robotaxi program's launch coincides with Tesla facing financial pressures and declining sales, increasing the initiative's importance for the company's future. Experts highlight that the ongoing need for safety drivers during commercial operations raises questions about the maturity of Tesla's autonomous driving technology.