Latest news with #TeslaRobotaxis
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Tesla under NHTSA's scrutiny over Robotaxi incident. Know more
Tesla has started offering paid rides in its driverless Robotaxis in Austin. (Bloomberg) Notify me Tesla has again come under scrutiny, and this time because of the electric vehicle manufacturer's self-driving Robotaxis' violation of traffic laws during the company's first day offering paid rides in Austin. The US auto safety regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is looking into the incidents where Tesla Robotaxis appeared to violate traffic rules. Bloomberg has reported that NHTSA is aware of the incidents that were captured in videos posted on social media and is gathering additional information from the EV manufacturer. Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety, the agency has reportedly stated in its official statement. In one of the videos, posted by an investor of the company, a Tesla Model Y enters an Austin intersection in a left-turn-only lane. The Tesla hesitates to make the turn, swerves right and proceeds into an unoccupied lane meant for traffic moving in the opposite direction. The video also reveals that the Tesla Model Y re-enters the correct lane over a double yellow line, which drivers are not supposed to cross. Another video posted Sunday captured two riders in a driverless Model Y having trouble after pressing a button on the rear screen of the vehicle to indicate that they wanted the vehicle to pull over. The video shows that right after pressing the button, a message popped up on the screen indicating that the Model Y would find a safe location to pull over. But rather than execute a pull-over manoeuvre, the vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the road. In some other social media posts, initial riders in the driverless Tesla Model Ys shared footage of the EVs speeding. In one of the videos, the Tesla EV reached 56 kmph shortly after passing a 48 kmph speed limit sign. These developments come after Tesla recalled more than 362,000 electric cars in February 2023, after NHTSA said that its driver-assistance system may allow cars to infringe on local traffic rules. Meanwhile, NHTSA continues to investigate the performance of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite of automated driver-assist features. The agency is examining how the system performs at times when visibility is limited by glare, dust or fog. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 24 Jun 2025, 09:33 AM IST
Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Tesla Robotaxis in trouble after debut in Austin: Here's why
Tesla, owned by Elon Musk , has launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. But soon after the launch, federal safety officials contacted the company following videos that appeared to show the self-driving cars breaking traffic rules. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told TechCrunch that it is looking into the incidents. The agency said it has reached out to Tesla to collect more details. As mentioned above, this comes just one day after Tesla launched its limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is offering rides to invited users in vehicles powered by its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is designed to operate without direct driver control. What NHTSA said about Tesla Robotaxis violating traffic rules 'NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,' the company said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo '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.' Tesla robotaxi vehicles currently operate with a human 'safety monitor' in the front passenger seat but are intended to drive without input. Tesla has not disclosed technical details of the unsupervised FSD software used in the robotaxis. Several videos posted online show troubling behavior. In one clip, a Tesla robotaxi swerves into the wrong lane. In another, it appears to drive over the speed limit. Author and Tesla critic Ed Niedermeyer captured footage of two Tesla robotaxis unexpectedly braking while driving past parked police vehicles. The video has since been posted on YouTube. NHTSA noted that under U.S. law, it does not pre-approve new vehicle technologies. Instead, manufacturers must certify their systems meet safety standards. The agency investigates potential defects and can take enforcement action if needed. Colourful Beats Cables! Find perfect match for your iPhone
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla launches Robotaxi service in Texas; ‘Culmination of a decade of hard work,' says CEO Elon Musk
Elon Musk's Tesla has finally launched its first Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. After years of delay, the company has now deployed a small fleet of self-driving vehicles in Austin. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Telsa CEO posted about the launch of Tesla Robotaxi on X (formerly known as Twitter). Musk also thanked the software and chip design teams on the successful launch of Robotaxi. 'Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @Robotaxi launch!! Culmination of a decade of hard work. Both the AI chip and software teams were built from scratch within Tesla,' wrote Elon Musk. Presently, the roll out of Robotaxi in Austin is a limited pilot program. This program consists of small fleet of cars including 10 to 20 Tesla Model Y SUVs. These vehicles will operate within a specific 'geofenced' area of the city and will mainly focus on the south and central Austin. The fleet will also avoid the more complex intersections and challenging weather conditions. The company is presently offering rides to select group of invited customers which also include some social media influencers, for a flat fee of $4.20 per trip. The Tesla Robotaxis are deigned to operator without a human driver, but the company is using 'safety monitors' who will sit in the front passenger seat during the initial trials. Musk has consistently touted robotaxis as a crucial component of Tesla's future valuation, promising a vast network of self-driving cars. However, the path to commercial deployment has been longer and more challenging than initially predicted, with years of unfulfilled promises regarding the full capabilities of Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) software. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now How Robotaxi works To get started, download the Robotaxi app. Use your Tesla Account credentials to sign in. Create a Tesla Account if you don't already have one before attempting to sign into the Robotaxi app. Once you have signed in, enter your destination from within the service area shown in the Robotaxi app. When confirming your ride, you can expect to see the estimated ride fare as well as how long it will take before the vehicle is expected to arrive at your pickup location. While the vehicle is on its way, you can change your destination from the Robotaxi app. Once the vehicle has arrived, confirm the license plate number with the one provided in the Robotaxi app. After confirming the vehicle, open the door, fasten your seatbelt and tap 'Start' in the Robotaxi app to begin the trip.
Ya Libnan
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Ya Libnan
Tesla Robotaxis are already zooming around Austin, Texas
Social media users caught a glimpse of several Tesla Model Ys driving around South Congress Avenue, with no one in the driver's seat. The Tesla Robotaxis have landed in Austin. A day ahead of the supposed launch of the driverless car service in the capital of Texas, social media users have spotted a number of Tesla Model Y EVs driving around South Congress Avenue near the city's downtown area—with no human in the driver's seat. Sunday is said to be the official launch of Tesla's long-awaited Robotaxi service, which CEO Elon Musk has touted as the beginning of a new era for the company that's powered by artificial intelligence and autonomy. Private invitations to try the service went out this week to various Tesla-adjacent influencers and social media users, although the launch is said to be fairly tepid at first. Musk has said it will commence with about 10 to 12 cars at the outset with human safety operators riding in the passenger seat. Another Robotaxi had been spotted in the same area in recent weeks. More sightings are expected to follow in the coming days as Tesla continues to scale the service. The Austin launch marks the arrival of a long-awaited promise from Musk: fully autonomous Teslas that will eventually lead to his vision for cars without steering wheels or pedals . This, along with humanoid robots, is supposed to make Tesla the most valuable company on earth . At the same time, countless questions remain about the viability of Tesla's vision for autonomy. The driverless Tesla cars operate only with cameras and AI, not the LIDAR and sophisticated sensor suites of competitors like Waymo (which also launched in Austin in March). Whether those systems alone can ensure a better-than-human driving experience and safety for everyone on the roads remains to be seen. A recent video from The Dawn Project, a group of Tesla critics, showed Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software failing to stop in time for a child-sized dummy crossing the street . The same systems will be put to use on Austin's streets soon. Meanwhile, Austin—which already struggles with traffic—is becoming a hotbed of autonomous vehicle deployment, as the New York Times reported recently. In addition to Waymo and now Tesla, the city has seen the deployment of autonomous vehicles from Amazon's Zoox , Volkswagen and the startup Avride. We'll see how the Teslas stack up soon enough. Insideevs
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Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Tesla joins Austin's self-driving race with launch of Robotaxi service
Austin is known for live music, Texas' premier public university and being home to tech companies. It is also becoming a laboratory for autonomous vehicles. Driverless Waymo taxis, owned by Google's parent company, regularly drop off diners at Austin's famous barbecue joints. Box-shaped, four-wheeled robots operated by Avride, a start-up working with Uber Eats, deliver Thai takeout to customers downtown. Zoox, owned by Amazon, and Volkswagen are separately testing autonomous taxis here. Tesla, the electric car company based in Austin, recently joined the party, rolling out self-driving Model Ys ahead of a taxi service that is expected to begin offering rides as soon as Sunday. The vehicles, which the company calls Robotaxis, are part of an audacious effort by Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive, to leap ahead of Waymo, which dominates a nascent business that someday could be worth tens of billions of dollars and perhaps much more. But the busy streets of Austin show that Tesla will face significant competition and other challenges. It will have to engage in painstaking experimentation to perfect its technology, which some autonomous-driving experts have criticised for having fewer safeguards than those operated by Waymo and other companies. Also, Tesla is starting from behind. Waymo has been driving paying passengers for years in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and started its commercial service in Austin in March in partnership with Uber. Waymo said on Wednesday that it was applying for a permit from New York City to offer rides with a person behind the wheel. A change in state law would be required for fully autonomous rides. A small fleet of Tesla Robotaxis will begin carrying passengers in Austin on June 22, Musk said on X last week but added the company may delay the start of the service. But analysts expect the cars will be available only to company employees or invited guests. The service will probably not be available to the general public for several months, analysts said. Tesla is adapting its most advanced driver assistance software, already offered as an option on the cars it sells, to operate without human intervention. If this approach works, the company could quickly roll out driverless taxis around the world. Musk has said a software update could allow hundreds of thousands or even millions of existing Teslas to operate as autonomous taxis, making cheap driverless rides ubiquitous. But the approach Tesla is taking is unusual. Waymo and other companies working to offer self-driving taxi services have been developing their technologies for years, painstakingly mapping streets and training their software to avoid hitting pedestrians, cyclists, garbage trucks, fire engines and all manner of other things found on public roads. 'FSD is an immature system,' said Matthew Wansley, a professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York, referring to what Tesla calls its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Another challenge for Tesla is that its self-driving system is under investigation by federal officials. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into whether Tesla's technology was responsible for crashes in conditions where the road was obscured by fog, dust, bright light or darkness. One crash led to the death of a pedestrian.
