Latest news with #Teslarati
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Video Shows Tesla "Safety Monitor" Hitting Panic Button as Robotaxi Becomes Confused on Public Road
Tesla's extremely questionable Robotaxi launch has already seen some of its cars violate traffic laws. Now, new footage shows a Tesla robotaxi screwing up so badly that its human "safety monitor" is forced to hit the panic button — which is actually a touchscreen menu, in true tech industry fashion — heaping even more scrutiny onto the self-driving vehicles' capabilities. The footage, spotted by Teslarati, was taken by pro-Tesla influencer and investor Dave Lee. In it, the modified Model Y is about to reach the passenger drop-off location, but as it turns to pull over, it fails to recognize that a large UPS truck with its backup lights on is reversing into the same spot. On the verge of rear-ending the truck, the safety monitor avoids a collision by quickly tapping the "Stop In Lane" button on the infotainment screen, bringing the vehicle to a halt. Bravo, human! According to Teslarati, this was the first look we got at a full-blown intervention by one of the safety monitors. There's been no shortage of other blunders, though, that are just as alarming. A video uploaded earlier this week showed a robotaxi suddenly start jerking the steering wheel side to side while driving through an intersection, before illegally crossing the road's solid double yellow lines to barge into a left turn lane. Several other videos show robotaxis clearly exceeding the speed limit, including one instance in which a robotaxi cruised through a 15 mile per hour zone at a blistering 27 miles per hour. Incidents like these have already attracted the attention of federal regulators. As Bloomberg reported, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reached out to Tesla to gather information regarding the incidents where the robotaxis appeared to violate traffic laws. The agency, however, has not initiated a formal investigation. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety," the NHTSA said in a statement Monday, per Bloomberg. Bear in mind that it's been less than a week since Tesla began its limited robotaxi rollout. For this many issues to crop up already should give anyone pause, given that there are only ten to 20 of these vehicles on the road, limited to a tiny geofenced area where the driving conditions are as ideal as possible. It's also worth noting that the riders chosen to test the cab service are almost exclusively Tesla fanboys who aren't likely to be critical about the company — so you have to wonder what they aren't showing us. In the end, it's undoubtedly a good thing that a human "safety monitor" was present in this latest incident and others — which contradicts Elon Musk's promise that his robotaxis would be "unsupervised" — but based on Tesla's track record, it sure seems like they're being used to gloss over what's clearly still very faulty tech. More on Tesla: Tesla Stock in Tailspin After Error-Plagued Robotaxi Debut
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Musk issues surprising update that will be game-changer for Tesla buyers: 'Makes buying a vehicle more convenient than it already is'
Tesla customers will no longer have to make the trip to a showroom to pick up their cars, according to Teslarati. Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed on the social platform X that the company will have its first self-delivery from factory to customer any day. "For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in driver's seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents," wrote Musk in an X post May 29. "Next month, first self-delivery from factory to customer." As the Associated Press reported, Musk stated that Tesla is "tentatively" launching its Robotaxi service June 22 in Austin, Texas. Around 10 Model Y SUVs are set to ride throughout the city. By the end of June, Tesla's customers will have "a vehicle delivery process that makes buying a vehicle more convenient than it already is from Tesla, with no hassle, no dealership jargon, and no negotiating," Teslarati explained. While news of Tesla's self-delivery is exciting, the company is still facing significant hurdles. It has had a rough start to 2025, with sales down 13% in the first quarter, as many have been turned off by the brand because of Musk's activity within the Trump administration during that time. Switching to an electric vehicle, however, is still a great way to save money on car maintenance while reducing your environmental footprint. In fact, you can expect to save $1,500 on gas and car maintenance each year. Plus, some EV models qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. For EV owners looking to save even more, installing solar panels significantly reduces costs. Charging with at-home solar energy is much cheaper than charging at public stations or relying on the grid. With EnergySage, homeowners looking to upgrade to solar power can compare quotes from vetted, local installers and save up to $10,000 on installations. If the upfront investment of installing solar panels isn't in your budget, consider leasing them to avoid high energy prices. Palmetto's LightReach solar panel leasing program allows consumers to lock in low rates and install panels for no down payment. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla sparks buzz with images of unidentified model zipping around test track: 'It seems more likely it is one of the affordable models'
Aerial shots of an unknown Tesla model were spotted at the company's Fremont Factory test track in late May, prompting fans of the brand to suspect exciting additions to the affordable electric vehicle market. According to an article by Teslarati, while the images of the car have both bumpers covered, the vehicle seems to be a more compact version of the Model Y. The company has previously hinted at the Model Y being used as the base of their upcoming affordable line. While Tesla sales were low in early 2025, they have slowly begun to rebound, in part due to the company's commitment to affordability. Vehicles like the new Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive come at a price tag starting at $44,990, making EV ownership increasingly realistic for the average consumer. The Teslarati article does mention that the unknown model being test-driven could be the upcoming Model Y Performance, but it's unlikely. "Tesla would not reduce its size this much for the Performance configuration," the article states. "With that, it seems more likely it is one of the affordable models." Owning an EV comes with a wide range of benefits. Not only will you save money on refueling — as they do not require gas or oil changes like gas-powered cars — but by not burning these toxic fuels to run your car, you're also helping the planet. With affordable models, as well as the growing used EV market, electric vehicle ownership can be a reality for even more drivers. To maximize savings and eco-friendliness, the installation of solar panels on your home for your EV is a valuable addition. With solar, you won't have to use public charging systems, which cost money, or rely on the grid for charging, which can be inconsistent. Resources like EnergySage can help you compare quotes on solar panels and help you save up to $10,000 on installation. Another great option is Palmetto's LightReach solar panel leasing program, which allows you to install solar panels for no money down and lets users lock in low energy rates. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla announces launch date for game-changing new service: 'That's how progress works'
Tesla could be launching its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in a matter of days after the automaker tested its self-driving Model Ys ahead of schedule. According to Bloomberg, Tesla is eyeing Thursday as the official launch date — with several caveats. For one, that timeline could still change. Secondly, only 10 self-driving electric vehicles will be in operation, with Teslarati reporting riders will need an invite from the company. If realized, Tesla's robotaxi could be a major win for a brand reinventing itself around driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence. The company has found itself on bumpy roads at the outset of 2025, with plummeting stocks and a 13% year-over-year dip in EV deliveries in the first quarter of the year. While a growing number of automakers are entering the lucrative electric vehicle market, giving consumers more options than ever when choosing an EV, CEO Elon Musk's polarizing involvement in politics did the brand no favors and contributed to the decline. As for the robotaxi, several media reports suggested that Tesla hadn't begun testing it at all, as Teslarati noted, causing a flurry of speculation that a June launch was another one of the company's pipe dreams. However, at the end of May, Bloomberg reported that a Tesla robotaxi had completed its first test run on public roads without someone in the driver's seat. Tesla didn't respond to the publication's request for comment, but on May 28, Musk said on the social platform X that Tesla had been testing for multiple days. When it launches, Tesla won't have the first autonomous taxi service in Austin. Waymo, which completes around 250,000 self-driving rides each week across multiple cities, tested a prototype in Austin in 2015 and began a limited rollout of its self-driving service in the city in March 2024 before opening it to the public. Critics of Tesla's robotaxi worry that a June launch may be premature, as the automaker has well-documented struggles with its autonomous driving features. Recently, a pair of Business Insider writers had their Tesla robotaxi proceed through a red light in San Francisco. If those reported issues are addressed, though, having more EVs on the roadways would be a positive development, contributing to healthier air quality, as they don't release heat-trapping, asthma-linked pollution when driven the way gas-powered vehicles do. EV drivers also report significant savings on energy and maintenance. Many are maximizing their savings by installing solar panels, which are cheaper to use than relying on public charging stations or the grid. EnergySage can save homeowners up to $10,000 in installation costs. Would you ride in a self-driving Tesla Robotaxi? Heck yes Probably Not anytime soon No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, if you're not ready to invest in a system, Palmetto's LightReach solar panel leasing program is another way to tap into the benefits of solar. Its no-money-down plans will lock you into a low monthly rate, protecting you against volatile pricing associated with dirty fuels. Meanwhile, commenters on the Teslarati article had mixed reactions to the robotaxi launch. "They've only tried to run without safety driver for a few days," one person wrote. "If FSD [Full Self-Driving] is really so great, why did it take so long for them to even dare trying this so late, and months after having hundreds of cars roaming around Austin with safety drivers?" "That's how progress works. Lots of minor steps to the end goal," another suggested. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Government officials make massive Cybertruck purchase ahead of 2026 World Cup: 'Need to work a lot on the perception of security'
Just when you thought Tesla couldn't go any further into the mainstream, the Mexican State of Jalisco recently purchased 678 new patrol vehicles, and a few of them are Cybertrucks. The Tesla Cybertruck launched back in 2023 and has yet to stop intriguing consumers. Its aesthetic stands out on the road for its sharp shape and imposing size. According to Teslarati, Jalisco is implementing the truck into its increased police fleet as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, bringing in an expected five million visitors. On the decision to implement the Cybertrucks, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said, "We also need to work a lot on the perception of security," per Teslarati. The use of Cybertrucks by law enforcement is slowly becoming a reality. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recently announced its plan to add 10 of the trucks to its police fleet, which were given to the department by donors. Furthermore, Business Insider reported that when U.S. President Donald Trump visited Qatar in May, two Cybertrucks were a part of his motorcade through Doha. Teslarati stated that the Cybertrucks "symbolize a fusion of cutting-edge technology and strategic security planning" and that their patrols ahead of the tournament "could set a new standard for security at international events, blending sustainability with strength." Electric vehicles are increasingly popular amongst the public, too, with the Cybertruck being the fifth most popular EV in 2024, per Cox Automotive. While Tesla saw its numbers dwindle earlier in 2025, in large part due to CEO Elon Musk's political activity, the EV market in general continues to rise. While the Inflation Reduction Act offers tax incentives on electric vehicles, the Trump Administration has mentioned cutting it, so the time is now to switch to an EV. To get maximum benefits, both money-saving and Earth-protecting, you can also integrate solar panels into your EV operation. Charging at home with power from solar panels is cheaper than using public charging stations, and with EnergySage, it's easy and free to compare quotes from vetted local installers and save up to $10,000 on installations. Would you ever consider buying a Tesla Cybertruck? Absolutely Never in a million years Maybe if it was way cheaper I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
