Tesla Robotaxi Faces New Safety and Reporting Issues

Tesla's robotaxi service launched in Austin, Texas, with a small, invitation-only fleet and company employees monitoring rides, but the rollout has quickly faced controversy over operational and safety issues. Documented incidents include abrupt ride cancellations due to weather, traffic law violations, random braking, lane errors, and the first reported accident, during which a Tesla employee had to intervene. Experts have raised concerns about the vehicles' camera-only sensor system, arguing it may be less reliable in adverse conditions compared to competitors using lidar and radar. Regulators and observers are also troubled by Tesla's exemption from state reporting requirements, which limits available information on intervention rates and safety metrics. While some rides have been uneventful, critics argue the technology is not as advanced as rival systems, and the restricted launch has not eased public skepticism. Tesla has not publicly responded to detailed safety or performance concerns.