Federal Regulators Question Tesla Driverless Taxi Safety Ahead Texas Launch

California is considering a policy change to allow testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks on public roads, a move that could open the door for companies like Tesla and Aurora to advance commercial autonomous trucking despite safety concerns due to the size and potential risks of these vehicles. Meanwhile, Tesla's planned rollout of self-driving robotaxis in Austin, Texas, is under scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has requested detailed safety information to address concerns about operations in adverse weather conditions linked to prior accidents involving Tesla's driver-assist systems. Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains confident in launching the Austin pilot as scheduled and expanding nationwide by the end of the year, with analysts viewing the rollout as a critical milestone for the company. However, NHTSA's demands for specifics about vehicle deployment, sensor technology, remote monitoring, and safety evaluation could delay the launch if Tesla's responses are deemed insufficient, although the agency cannot preemptively block the service but can mandate recalls if safety issues arise. The federal regulators' limited authority over fully driverless vehicles without traditional controls underscores the evolving regulatory landscape for autonomous technologies. These developments highlight the balance between innovation in autonomous vehicle deployment and the imperative for rigorous safety oversight.