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The Star
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Tesla invited influencers to test its robotaxi. Here's what they had to say
For now, the test vehicles are operating in a limited area. — Reuters AUSTIN: A handpicked group of passengers invited for early rides from Tesla Inc's autonomous, nearly driverless ride-hailing service seemed to like it. But video some posted to social media suggests the automaker's system struggles to comply with traffic laws. Some passengers were wowed by the car's ability to slow for speed bumps, an ambulance or to avoid hitting a pedestrian. One said it did just as well after sundown as during the day. Another was wild about what it may mean for the Austin-based automaker's future. "I was completely mind blown that the same car I can buy today starting at around $38k – which also happens to be the best selling car in the world – just did paid driverless rides around Austin, TX without someone behind the steering wheel and pedal," X user @farzyness posted after three rides in one of the Model Y vehicles being used as robotaxis – which actually start at more than US$50,000 (RM 212,199) , according to "The implications from this are far-reaching and very disruptive. This breaks transportation." He was among a handful of online Tesla influencers – fans who post regularly about the company on social media– who received invitations to download the Robotaxi app and try the company's service Sunday in Austin. It's not available yet to the general public. Rival Waymo already has deployed driverless taxis in Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego and other cities using a different technology that allowed it to get to market faster. It recently completed its 10 millionth paid ride and has begun testing in San Antonio and other cities. Other companies also are testing in Austin. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made the robotaxi program a priority, and any trouble with it could be highly damaging to the company's stock price, which had tumbled 20% this year. Last Sunday's limited rollout appeared to give it a boost, though, with the share price rocketing at Monday's opening bell. It closed up more than 8% and was up slightly in after-hours trading. Also among the passengers was Rob Maurer, an investor whose live ride video shows the Model Y he's in entering an intersection in a left-turn-only lane. The Tesla hesitates to make the turn, swerves right and continues into an unoccupied lane meant for traffic moving in the opposite direction. A honking horn can be heard as the robotaxi returns to the correct lane over a double-yellow line, a violation. Other riders shared videos of Tesla robotaxis exceeding the posted speed limit by 4 or 5 mph (6.43kph or 8kph). For now, the test vehicles are operating in a limited area. The current geofence area goes as far south as Ben White Boulevard and US 290, west to Texas State Loop 1, north to Cesar Chavez Street and east to US 183. According to CEO Elon Musk, Sunday's trial had a flat fee of US$4.20 (RM18) for the select group. It was unclear if Tesla paid for the influencers' trips to Austin, their robotaxi fares or for social media posts about the service. The company hasn't responded to requests for comment. "As an Early Access Rider, you can be among the first to use our new Robotaxi App and experience a ride within our geofenced area in Austin," the invitations said. "Through this exclusive preview, you'll have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback." Though there was no one behind the wheel, information sent with the invitations indicated front-seat human safety monitors – Tesla employees riding with Sunday's invitees – would be subject to the same restrictions as drivers of Tesla models with the so-called Full Self-Driving system. That means the cabin camera was watching the monitor's eyes to make sure they're on the road and, presumably, warn them if they're not. A few of the videos posted Sunday showed monitors turned around to look at a passenger in the back seats. – San Antonio Express-News/Tribune News Service
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla's Robotaxis Reportedly Sped and Veered Into the Wrong Lanes. Does This Crush the Bull Case for TSLA Stock?
Tesla's (TSLA) highly anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas encountered turbulence as multiple videos surfaced showing the autonomous vehicles violating traffic laws during their first day of commercial operation. Despite initial investor enthusiasm that sent TSLA stock up 10% before paring gains to 8% on Monday, June 23, concerning footage showed Tesla's Model Y robotaxis speeding, making improper turns, and briefly driving into lanes for opposing traffic. Tesla's Robotaxis Reportedly Sped and Veered Into the Wrong Lanes. Does This Crush the Bull Case for TSLA Stock? Dear Micron Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for June 25 Is United Health Stock a Buy, Hold or Sell for July 2025? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. In what is perhaps the most troubling incident, captured by former Tesla podcast host Rob Maurer, showed a robotaxi hesitating at an intersection before swerving into an oncoming traffic lane and crossing double-yellow lines to correct course, prompting honking from at least one other driver. Additional footage documented vehicles exceeding speed limits, including one robotaxi traveling 39 mph in a 35 mph zone. These violations immediately attracted federal scrutiny. For instance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contacted Tesla to gather additional information about the incidents. NHTSA emphasized that while it doesn't pre-approve autonomous technologies, it will 'take any necessary actions to protect road safety' following its assessment. The agency is already investigating the performance of Tesla's Full Self-Driving system in limited visibility conditions and has previously linked the technology to fatal crashes. The timing poses a challenge for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions. While CEO Elon Musk celebrated the launch as culminating 'a decade of hard work,' the company faces significant competition from Waymo, which has completed over 10 million paid trips and operates 1,500 vehicles across multiple cities. Chinese competitor Baidu's (BIDU) Apollo Go has surpassed 11 million trips, highlighting Tesla's relatively late entry into commercial robotaxi services. Industry experts caution that Tesla's camera-only approach, while scalable, faces technical hurdles in handling complex 'edge cases' that could take years to resolve. The Austin deployment involved fewer than two dozen vehicles operating in a limited geography with safety monitors present, making Musk's promise of 'millions of Teslas operating fully autonomously' by late 2025 appear increasingly ambitious. For investors, these early implementation challenges raise questions about Tesla's robotaxi timeline and technological readiness. While the EV maker's manufacturing scale and software update capabilities provide advantages, the traffic violations and regulatory attention suggest a more cautious approach may be necessary. Tesla continues to face multiple headwinds in 2025, including rising competition, higher interest rates, and sluggish consumer demand. Analysts expect the EV giant to report revenue of $97.5 billion in 2025, compared to $97.7 billion in 2024. Its adjusted earnings per share are also forecast to narrow by 21% year-over-year to $1.90 in 2025. However, Wall Street estimates revenue to soar to $141 billion in 2027 with adjusted earnings per share of $3.71. Out of the 41 analysts tracking TSLA stock, 14 recommend 'Strong Buy,' two recommend 'Moderate Buy,' 15 recommend 'Hold,' and 10 recommend 'Strong Sell.' The average target price for TSLA stock is $292, roughly 10% below its current stock price. The bull case for TSLA stock remains intact, given Tesla's broader leadership in the EV sector. Still, the robotaxi narrative, long considered a key valuation driver, faces near-term headwinds that could temper investor expectations and delay the autonomous driving revenue opportunity that many shareholders have been anticipating. On the date of publication, Aditya Raghunath did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla Robotaxis go rogue? Elon Musk's venture hits road bumps as BYD zooms past
Tesla launched its highly anticipated Robotaxi service on 22 June in Austin, Texas—quietly, and for a chosen few. Only a handful of Tesla Model Y vehicles (between 10 and 20) were unleashed in a geofenced patch of South Austin. Zones include South Lamar, East Riverside, and the quirky Rainey Street Historic District. The service is invite-only, limited to Tesla enthusiasts and influencers who livestreamed their rides and posted footage online. Each ride costs a flat $4.20 and is hailed through an Uber-like app. The backseat passengers get a real-time map on a rear screen and can even access their Tesla account playlists. The cars log users out after each ride for privacy. It's clever. It's futuristic. And, at times, it's a little weird. Caught on Camera: The Good, the bad, the odd No sooner had the Robotaxis hit the road than Redditors began compiling clips of their misadventures. So far, at least 11 videos have surfaced showing Tesla's AI making questionable decisions. The footage includes: A Robotaxi swerving briefly into the wrong lane with its blinker on, skipping a turn and driving directly into oncoming traffic lanes. Cars that suddenly brake mid-street with no visible obstacle. A ride that pulled into a handicapped parking space to collect its passenger. A Tesla stopping dead in the middle of the road after a rider pressed the 'pull over' button on the screen. One early tester, Rob Maurer, saw his ride cross a double yellow line into the opposite lane before course-correcting. "It signalled left, then it changed its mind. The car behind honked, but luckily, there was no oncoming traffic," he said in his video. Other clips show the vehicles bumping over kerbs or hesitating at intersections. At least one user reported belongings being tossed forward during a sudden brake. The videos are real. The reactions, mixed. Live Events Vision-only: Tesla bets on cameras, not lasers Unlike its rivals, Tesla's system doesn't use LiDAR or radar. It relies only on cameras and Elon Musk's long-touted Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The version used in the Robotaxi doesn't need a human behind the wheel, but for now, each vehicle includes a human 'safety monitor' in the front seat. In one video, a monitor was seen pressing the emergency stop button when a delivery truck began reversing toward the Robotaxi. In another, the AI successfully pulled over to let an ambulance pass, outperforming even a human-driven Cybertruck nearby. But camera-only navigation comes with trade-offs. Sunlight glare reportedly caused a car to brake unexpectedly. Critics argue this reveals the limits of Tesla's approach. As one Redditor put it: 'If the sun can confuse it, what happens in fog or at night?' The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed it is 'aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer.' A spokesperson added, 'NHTSA does not pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems — rather, manufacturers certify that each vehicle meets standards, and we investigate incidents involving safety defects.' The City of Austin said it was 'actively collaborating with Tesla' after reports of erratic stops and awkward pickups circulated online. Local police are also being briefed to safely interact with the cars. University of Texas professor Kara Kockelman didn't mince words, 'Dropping off people in the middle of a six-lane road or edge of a busy intersection when traffic is going in the opposite direction is pretty dangerous,' she told Business Insider. Philip Koopman, an autonomous tech expert at Carnegie Mellon, was surprised by the sheer volume of footage. 'I was not expecting as many videos of problematic driving on the very first day,' he said. Still, not everyone's panicking. Alain Kornhauser of Princeton University took a more optimistic view: 'So far so good. It handled the situations very well and likely better than even good drivers.' Tesla's bumpy ride on the markets On the day of the Robotaxi pilot launch, Tesla shares briefly surged by 11%, closing up 8%. But the rally fizzled out the next day. The enthusiasm may have reflected hope in the company's long-term vision, but investors appear cautious about the realities of the rollout. Meanwhile, Tesla's sales in Europe continue to slide. Despite a new Model Y and a dedicated Gigafactory in Germany, May saw a significant year-over-year drop in sales. If June numbers don't rebound, Tesla risks losing ground in one of its most strategic markets. While the Robotaxi was only released in Austin, Texas, these are the sales figures from Europe. In China, BYD is outperforming nearly all rivals. Despite price wars, it has retained healthy profit margins and now controls over half the country's EV market. In May alone, plug-in vehicles made up 53% of all new vehicle sales in China—with battery electric vehicles accounting for 31%. Back in the U.S., Tesla faces stiff competition from Waymo, whose Robotaxis in Austin operate in twice the coverage area and do so without human monitors onboard. Waymo recently expanded to Atlanta via Uber, while Tesla's own rollout remains cautious and limited. Tech test or public Beta? Tesla says this is still an early-access programme, not a full public launch. It avoids tricky intersections, bad weather, and kids under 18. No serious crashes have occurred yet. And many testers described the rides as smooth, even impressive. One YouTuber, Bearded Tesla Guy, showed how the vehicle navigated a packed grocery car park—first hesitating, then asserting itself and finding a way out. But the footage also reveals the service's fragility. A ride that stops in an active intersection? A vehicle picking up in a handicapped spot? These are not errors that Tesla wants going viral. And that's the catch. This is a test conducted in full public view, where every minor glitch is filmed, analysed, and reposted. It's a bold move. And a risky one. Elon Musk has promised that this pilot will lead to a national rollout—eventually 'millions' of Teslas operating as fully autonomous taxis by mid-2026. A new model, the Cybercab, will ditch the steering wheel and pedals entirely. But so far, all that's visible is a handful of Model Ys trundling through a few square miles of South Austin. That's the tension. Tesla wants to race toward the future. But every clipped kerb, botched stop and swerved lane is a reminder: autonomy is hard. The world is messy. And even the smartest robots still have a lot to learn.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Tesla robotaxis face scrutiny after erratic driving caught on camera during Austin pilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Tesla after incidents involving the electric car maker's robotaxis were caught on camera this weekend during a pilot in Austin, Texas. NHTSA, which operates under the Department of Transportation and regulates automobile safety, said it contacted Tesla after videos surfaced showing instances of the company's self-driving taxi driving down the wrong side of the road and braking erratically. "NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the agency said in a statement. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety." In one video posted on social media, a Tesla enters a lane marked on the roadway as being for left turns only, but then goes straight through the intersection and enters an opposing lane for 10 second before swerving several times. The passenger in the car who posted the video, money manager Rob Maurer, minimized the seriousness of the incident. "There are no vehicles anywhere in sight, so this wasn't a safety issue," Maurer said in commentary accompanying his video. "I didn't feel uncomfortable in the situation." Another video appears to show a robotaxi stopping twice suddenly in the middle of the road, possibly responding to the flashing lights of police cars. The vehicles were part of a test in Austin of Tesla's Model Y robotaxis. Tesla investors and social media influencers who were invited to participate posted videos on social media over the weekend describing their experience. A driverless Tesla robotaxi, a ride-booking service, moves through traffic, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Eric Gay / AP The incidents could raise questions about the safety of the cars. Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk said in an April earnings call that he expects millions of Tesla's self-driving cars to be on the road by the second half of 2026. But Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, who is bullish on Tesla's future and the market opportunity for its robotaxis, sees such issues as the inevitable growing pains involved in deploying new technology. "Any issues they encounter will be fixed," Ives told the Associated Press, calling the Austin test a "huge success." Tesla did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. Musk has said the company's autonomous cars are safer than human-driven vehicles. On a January earnings call, the tech billionaire claimed the safety of the general public and robotaxis' passengers is a "top priority." The probe into Tesla's robotaxis comes after the NHTSA in October launched an investigation into Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" technology after four of its vehicles were involved in crashes. At the time, Tesla was forced a recall 2.4 million of its vehicles. Tesla was sued on Tuesday by the estates of three people who were killed during a crash last September involving one of the company's Model S cars, according to Reuters. and contributed to this report.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Robotaxi incidents eyed by regulators as Waymo opens up service in Atlanta
The start of Tesla's (TSLA) Robotaxi test apparently didn't go as smoothly as the company touted. Meanwhile, rival Waymo is expanding into another US city. In several videos posted to Tesla Robotaxis appear to violate local traffic laws by driving above posted speed limits, swerving across lanes, and hesitating to turn. In one instance, a rider named Rob Maurer posted a video in which a Tesla Robotaxi enters a left-turn-only lane, then proceeds to go straight through the intersection and cross a double yellow line the process, committing two traffic violations in the process. Tesla stock was down 2% in early trade. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken notice. 'NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,' a spokesperson said to Yahoo Finance. 'Under US 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.' NHTSA said following an assessment of the incidents, it will take any necessary action to protect road safety, adding that its investigation into Tesla's FSD-Supervised/Beta software remains open. Tesla is operating its limited test in Austin, Texas, with select users able to summon Tesla Model Y robotaxis, of which 10-20 seem to be in operation. Bloomberg News was first to report on Tesla's Robotaxi infractions. Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Waymo, considered the leader in the robotaxi space with 250,000 robotaxi trips completed each week with no safety driver, has officially opened for business in Atlanta. Via Uber (UBER), Waymo allows users to summon its robotaxis for driverless rides. Uber said in a post that riders will be able to travel across 65 square miles of Atlanta, with plans to expand in the future. 'Riders who request an UberX, Comfort, or Comfort Electric could be matched with a Waymo fully autonomous all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicle — at no additional cost. Before a nearby Waymo vehicle is sent your way, you'll always have the option to accept or switch to a non-AV ride,' Uber said in a statement. In addition to Waymo's Uber partnership in Atlanta, the companies continue to offer robotaxi rides in Austin. Waymo offers its robotaxi services through its own app in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix and will also be adding New York City to the list via a supervised test soon. Tesla hasn't revealed its next steps or when the general public will be allowed to summon a Robotaxi in Austin. Musk has said he expects 'millions' of robotaxis to be driving around by the second half of 2026, but the CEO has a history of making highly speculative predictions that have not come to fruition. Waymo is on a roll and Tesla needs to get moving, with limited hiccups, if it's going to catch Waymo's lead. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Sign in to access your portfolio
