Latest news with #USNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration
The Star
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Tesla robotaxi incidents draw scrutiny from US safety agency
A driverless Tesla robotaxi moves through traffic on June 22, 2025, in Austin, Texas. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of the incidents that were captured in videos posted on social media and is gathering additional information from the company, the agency said. — AP US auto safety regulators are looking into incidents where Tesla Inc's self-driving robotaxis appeared to violate traffic laws during the company's first day offering paid rides in Austin. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of the incidents that were captured in videos posted on social media and is gathering additional information from the company, the agency said in a statement to Bloomberg. NHTSA officials regularly interact with automakers on safety matters, and it's common for those discussions to stop short of a formal investigation. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety,' the agency said on Monday. Tesla's shares fell as much as 1.4% in postmarket trading after Bloomberg reported NHTSA's discussions with the company. The stock was little changed at 5:33 p.m. in New York. In one video taken by investor Rob Maurer, who used to host a Tesla podcast, a Model Y he's riding in 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. A honking horn can be heard as the Tesla re-enters the correct lane over a double-yellow line, which drivers aren't supposed to cross. In two other posts on X, initial riders in driverless Model Ys shared footage of Teslas speeding. A vehicle carrying Sawyer Merritt, a Tesla investor, reached 35 miles per hour shortly after passing a 30 miles per hour speed limit sign, a video he posted shows. In a separate live stream from Herbert Ong, a YouTuber with more than 123,000 subscribers, he commented that the vehicle was going faster than the posted limit of 35 miles per hour. "It's going at 39 right now, which is perfect, right, because I don't want to drive at 35, and it's driving at the same flow of traffic,' Ong said. "If everyone else is driving at this speed, you want to be at the same speed.' Representatives for Tesla and the Austin Police Department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on the videos. The automaker recalled more than 362,000 vehicles in February 2023 after NHTSA said its driver-assistance system may allow cars to infringe on local traffic laws. A spokesman for the city of Austin said it hadn't received any safety incident reports regarding Tesla's robotaxis over the weekend. NHTSA continues to investigate the performance of Tesla's Full Self-Driving 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. Chief executive officer Elon Musk celebrated the start of Tesla's robotaxi operations on Sunday, congratulating employees for what he said was a successful launch. Wall Street analysts also published broadly positive reports, with Barclays analyst Dan Levy writing that the first day of service was "largely uneventful.' 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. After the YouTuber who goes by Bearded Tesla Guy pressed 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. After the riders have a brief discussion with a remote customer-support worker who gets the Tesla going again, it took a second conversation with remote support to get the Model Y to route to the riders' desired drop-off destination. – Bloomberg
Express Tribune
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Tesla's 'Robotaxi' won't be driverless, set to launch with 'human monitors'
Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi service will launch on June 22, but the first rides won't be as driverless as promised. Invitations sent to select Tesla investors and influencers confirm that a human "safety monitor" will occupy the front passenger seat — a significant shift from CEO Elon Musk's earlier pledge of rides with 'no one in the car.' The move comes amid increasing scrutiny from regulators and marks a cautious first step for Tesla's autonomous ambitions. According to the invitation, monitors will accompany riders during initial trips, which must be booked between 6 a.m. and midnight within a designated geofenced area — excluding airports. Tesla has given me permission to share the parameters of use for their Model Y Robotaxi service, starting this Sunday June 22nd in Austin, Texas. The Early Access phase is invitation-only. Parameters of Use: • You must read through and agree to the attached Terms of Service,… — Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 20, 2025 Service may also be limited or suspended in bad weather. The limited pilot will involve between 10 and 20 Tesla Model Y vehicles. While Musk previously claimed these would be capable of unsupervised operation and remote management during emergencies, the current inclusion of human safety staff raises questions about the timeline for achieving full autonomy. Each rider may bring one guest aged 18 or older. Tesla has not yet announced a public rollout date beyond the invite-only phase. The launch also comes as Tesla faces mounting regulatory pressure. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently requested more information about the system's ability to operate in low-visibility conditions, citing concerns over its safety performance in inclement weather. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Texas — where Tesla is headquartered — have asked the company to delay operations until new autonomous vehicle legislation comes into effect in September. The law will require robotaxi services to obtain authorisation from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles before running without a human driver. Next week, Tesla plans to launch robotaxis in Austin— before Texas' new AV safety law takes effect. We're urging a delay until those safety standards are in place. Public trust comes from safety and transparency. We look forward to working with Tesla to achieve both. #txlege — Senator Sarah Eckhardt (@SarahEckhardtTX) June 18, 2025 Despite the scaled-back debut, Tesla's robotaxi trial remains a key milestone in the company's broader push toward full self-driving technology — one that Musk has repeatedly described as central to Tesla's future. Whether the service evolves into the fully autonomous system envisioned by Musk remains to be seen.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Harley-Davidson recalls over 82,000 Softail motorcycles over safety defect
Harley-Davidson is recalling more than 82,000 motorcycles due to a defect that could significantly increase the risk of a crash, according to a notice issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 12, 2025, reports ET's Global Desk. The issue affects several Softail models manufactured between 2018 and 2024. The recall notice states that the mounting tab on the rear shock preload adjuster may break on certain bikes, which can lead to the adjuster coming into contact with and damaging the rear tire. This could result in a loss of tire pressure, posing a serious safety hazard. Although no injuries or fatalities have been reported as of early June 2025, the NHTSA warned that if the defect goes undetected, it could lead to a sudden drop in tire pressure, increasing the risk of an accident. Some of the affected motorcycles were previously repaired under recall 23V591, but will now require a new fix. Models Impacted in the Recall: FLDE (2018–2019) FLHCS (2018–2024) FLHC (2018–2021) FXLRS (2020–2024) FXLRST (2022–2024) FLHCS ANV (2018, 2023) FXRST (2022) To resolve the issue, Harley-Davidson dealers will install a new bracket at no cost to the owner. Notification letters are expected to be mailed out by June 16. According to Men's Journal , the NHTSA further noted that the malfunction could create a groove in the tire, which may eventually lead to a sudden loss of air pressure—heightening the risk of a crash if not addressed.
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Ducati Diavel V4 RS Confirmed! Launch Likely In 2026
The Ducati Diavel name came into existence in 2011, and then it developed into the bike we know today after receiving the V4 engine. Now, the brand is planning to introduce a new 'RS' variant of the bike Diavel V4. With the addition of the suffix in the motorcycle's name, the bike is expected to get enhancements that will lean it further on the side of performance. Specifically, it is expected to get the Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine that the manufacturer used for the Multistrada V4 RS. The update concerning the Ducati Diavel V4 RS' development was confirmed because of a leaked document sourced from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is the same document that confirmed the presence of the 890 cc engine in the next-generation Monster and DesertX. It had two mentions of the Diavel V4 RS, hinting at the brand's plan to bring the bike in 2026. Also Read: Next Gen Ducati Monster Spied Testing- What's New? As mentioned earlier, Ducati is likely to swap the engine used in the Diavel V4 with the Desmosedici Stradale version of it, following the pattern used with the Multistrada V4 RS. This power unit is sourced from the Panigale V4. In the Panigale, the unit kicks out 209 hp of power at 12,750 rpm and 121 Nm at 11,250 rpm. Hence, the Diavel V4 RS is expected to have significantly more power compared to the V4 Granturismo it employs. This unit in the regular model gives out 168 hp at 10,750 rpm and 126 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Along with the powertrain changes, the Ducati Diavel V4 RS is also expected to get a few aesthetic changes. This might be seen in the form of sportier elements. Specifically, it is expected to have a new combination of colours, carbon fibre elements, and sportier exhaust among other things.
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Volvo recalls more than 400,000 vehicles over rear-view camera issue
Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars is recalling 413,151 vehicles in the US over an issue with the rear-view camera, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. The recall applies to a number of Volvo models including the 2021 to 2025 XC40, as the rear-view camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse, increasing the risk of a crash. The remedy for the Volvo recall will be a software update conducted by a dealer or via over-the-air. The Volvo recall comes a week after peer and Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar recalled more than 27,000 Polestar 2 vehicles in the US due to a similar issue. The Polestar 2, which is not available for orders in the US, was built on the same platform as some of Volvo's cars, stemming from a partnership between the automakers. Volvo Cars on Wednesday also said it would cut 5% of the workforce at its Charleston plant in South Carolina in the US. The company last month announced a restructuring of its American operations and a withdrawal of its earnings forecast due to a hit from tariffs.
