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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla finally came through on a big Elon Musk promise
Both fans and critics of Tesla (TSLA) boss Elon Musk can agree on one thing: the billionaire has always had a big vision for the future. For years, Musk has promised that Teslas will be able to drive themselves, allowing their owners to not only enjoy the ride, but even use the car to make them money by using it for Uber-like services. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter He's also promised that would be the case by Q2 of 2025 (so in other words, now), and that Model 3 and Model Y owners would be soon be able to use unsupervised Full Self Driving (FSD) in California and Texas. Related: Amazon aims to crush Elon Musk's Robotaxi As those who follow Tesla closely know, Musk did execute the Robotaxi launch in Austin in June within a limited area - but video also surfaced of one of its vehicles driving into oncoming traffic after missing a turn. Tesla has many skeptics, and this footage only served to further incite them. Dan O' Dowd, CEO of Green Hills Software and an X user who tracks Tesla FSD mistakes, called out that Robotaxis made 16 safety-critical and driving errors "in just four days," TheStreet's Tony Owusu reports. Now a new report says a Tesla has achieved another Musk-promised goal, but one may wonder if that's really the case, or if Musk simply painted the picture to suit his own purposes. In a video posted to the official Tesla YouTube channel in late June, a camera inside a Tesla captured a momentous event: the car driving itself from the factory to the new owner, who lives 30 minutes away. More Tesla: Tesla robotaxi launch hits major speed bumpTesla claims rival startup is built on stolen trade secrets10,000 people join Tesla class action lawsuit over key issue Another video, inset in the bottom corner, showed the car from various angles, including the empty back seat, to prove there were no humans in the car. The video ended with applause as three black-clad Tesla employees accompanied the buyer out to his new car, saying, "Welcome to your New Tesla!" Musk also tweeted about the accomplishment on June 27 before the video came out, saying, "There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!" "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully autonomous drive with no people in the car or remotely operating the car on a public highway," he continued. Related: Tesla's robotaxi finally launches, but there's a twist The vehicle's buyer, who goes by Jose on X, replied in the comments with photos, saying, "That was me! So excited to have been a part of this thank you! @elonmusk @Tesla." While Musk claims that the delivery was the first-ever autonomous drive on a highway with no human help, that's not quite the truth, as Alphabet's (GOOGL) competitor Waymo has been hard at work on the feature for some time. Waymo started testing its vehicles on highways in March. CBS reporter Chris Van Kleeve made a video of his own ride, which he took with Waymo Principal Software engineer Pierre Kreitmann. When asked what the biggest challenge in freeway driving was, Kreitmann told Van Kleeve that part of it is the speed. "The bar is to make as few mistakes as possible and be safer than a human driver would be," he said. Waymo's goal is to launch the freeway driving this year. "We're gradually scaling our freeway operations with our safety framework at our foundation. We look forward to expanding this service," Waymo says on its official website under the FAQs section. Waymo already operates more than 150,000 driverless rides a week in specific states, like Arizona and California, and just expanded the service to Atlanta in June. Related: Veteran Tesla bull drops surprising 3-word verdict on robotaxi ride The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time of India
6 days 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.
Business Insider
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Tesla's robotaxi hit the streets of Austin. I watched 2 hours of videoed rides, and I have some thoughts.
I watched over two hours of footage of Tesla's highly anticipated robotaxi service: I saw an Uber-like app experience, the in-vehicle interface, human supervisors, and miles of Austin streets. While the rides were mostly without incident, I noted a few hiccups from the newly launched autonomous vehicle — and at least one really smart move. After years of delays, Tesla's robotaxis were rolled out in Austin on June 22 to about a dozen invited users. The selected riders agreed to certain terms and are mostly Tesla influencers and shareholders. These early access riders have been livestreaming and posting about their experiences since Sunday. Business Insider reviewed multiple videos posted by riders, and this is what we found so far. User experience The robotaxi ride-hailing app seems straightforward to use and reminiscent of the Uber app, complete with a map, a countdown of how long your wait would be, and even instructions on how to open the Tesla car door (in case you are unfamiliar with its press-and-open handle design). These features are well displayed in a video posted by YouTuber Justin Demaree, who goes by Bearded Tesla Guy on social media. For now, each ride is priced at a $4.20 flat the app may decline a ride due to "high service demand," which happened at least once to Demaree, according to his video. There is a geofence for robotaxis at the moment. Riders cannot go beyond the area that encircles Zilker, South Lamar, South Congress, East Riverside Otorff, and part of the Lakeshore and the Rainey Street Historic District, according to screenshots from Demaree. By comparison, Waymo 's service range is about twice the size in Austin, where it also operates. The early access rides are not human-free. Each robotaxi comes with a human in the front passenger seat to monitor the vehicle. No video that Business Insider has watched so far shows a significant intervention from the human supervisor. Robotaxis vehicles, which are right now the Tesla Model Y, have a rear screen for backseat passengers with a real-time map showing how far you are from the destination. For those with Tesla accounts, riders can also access existing playlists and podcasts from the rear screen. According to Sawyer Merritt, a Tesla investor with early access, the screen also automatically logs you out after you leave the robotaxi for privacy protection. For those curious, Tesla's Robotaxi will automatically log out of all your apps when you exit the vehicle to maintain privacy. When you take your next ride, those apps will be automatically logged in when you enter the vehicle. — Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 23, 2025 What it did wrong In a 17-minute ride to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Rob Maurer, who used to run the "Tesla Podcast," was briefly driven into the opposite lane by a robotaxi. The robotaxi started to signal a left turn a few hundred feet ahead of an intersection, but once at the intersection, it decided against the turn and chose to continue straight instead, according to the video. It crossed the double yellow lines and briefly entered lanes that belonged to cars heading in the opposite direction. The move prompted the car behind it to honk at it, but fortunately, from what can be seen on video, there was no oncoming traffic from the opposite side. During the same ride, the robotaxi also exceeded the 35-mph speed limit on multiple occasions, although most cars around it were also driving above the limit. Separately, some passengers have found that robotaxis make dubious pick-up and drop-off decisions. In a video posted by Demaree, the YouTuber who goes by Bearded Tesla Guy, he and his companion called a robotaxi that chose to pick them up by pulling into a handicapped parking space. In a separate video posted on X, the two riders decided to test out the "pullover" button on the rear screen a block before they reached their destination. The move somehow brought the robotaxi to a stop in the middle of the road, even though it says it would pull over at a safe location. A call to a support agent who picked up within seconds eventually sent the robotaxi back on its way. Tesla RoboTaxi First Public Ride Livestream — Bearded Tesla (@BeardedTesla) June 22, 2025 A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told BI that the agency is aware of various robotaxi-related incidents and is in contact with Tesla to obtain more information. The agency also said that an investigation into Tesla's FSD-Supervised/Beta remains open. "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," the spokesperson wrote. NHTSA looks into all autonomous vehicles, so Tesla is not the only company it is investigating. What it did right From the five videos BI has seen, the robotaxi is generally able to make smooth turns without unnecessary hesitation, and keeps a consistent distance between itself and the car ahead. It also knows how to switch into a lane with fewer cars, brake for swerving cars, and yield on left turns. Despite occasionally exceeding speed limits, videos did not show it exceeding the limits by more than 5 mph, and it could be attempting to keep up with the general speed of other vehicles. Demaree's riding companion said during the ride that he thought the robotaxi's cautiousness when braking at the sight of pedestrians and cyclists had been "cranked up a little bit." The robotaxi braked for a cyclist who would have been in its way had the cyclist not taken a turn in a different direction. In the same video, the robotaxi also managed to get itself out of a sticky situation in a busy grocery store parking lot where the two riders were dropped off. It started out yielding to almost every car, but then the robotaxi asserted itself and was able to get out of the lot. Two nighttime videos also showed notable robotaxi abilities. Unlike Waymo, Tesla's more established rival, robotaxis do not have lidar or radar. The vehicles are equipped with eight cameras and a version of the company's Full-Self Driving software that does not require a human behind the wheel. The FSD version available to Tesla owners is a driver-assistance system that requires a human driver's full attention. There are indeed fewer cars on the road at night, but in both videos, the robotaxi made no critical errors in the low-light situations. In one video posted by a tech influencer, who goes by Chrisbtech on TikTok, the robotaxi pulled over to the right side of the road when an ambulance with sirens blasting approached at full speed. Other drivers — including a human-driven Cybertruck in the next lane — did not pull over. @chrisbtech First Tesla Robotaxi pulling over for an ambulance! ♬ original sound - Chris On Monday, Tesla shares rallied as much as 11% at their peak, before landing at 8% at 4 p.m. ET. The rally, however, did not continue through Tuesday. Tesla, Rob Maurer, Justin Demaree, Sawyer Merrit, and the National Transportation Safety Board did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seminole County leaders to choose Lynx replacement service Tuesday
Seminole County Commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday to designate a Miami-based company as its transit system of the future, and replace many of its Lynx bus lines with an Uber-like system. If approved, FreeBee, Inc. will launch a fleet of 35 to 55 vans that will be able to move people throughout the county at a low cost. FreeBee's plan is to divide the non-rural parts of the county into five distinct zones centered around its SunRail stations and a Lynx stop in Oviedo. Passengers will be able to request rides through an app and move around within those zones. If they want to go further, they'll be taken to the SunRail or Lynx station, where they'll be able to hop onto the bus or train to a different zone and hail another ride. The projected cost for this service will be $2 to $3 per trip, with discounts available to seniors, students and people with disabilities. Unlike Uber, which bills itself as a premium experience, FreeBee targets customers who need an inexpensive yet easy-to-use way to get around and does not do surge pricing. Commissioners will also weigh a different system that will allow people to get rides anywhere within the service area, but that would cost more. The money for the contract would come from the removal of most Lynx lines, months after commissioners criticized the service as being too Orange County-centric. Lynx's most used lines, as well as lines that connect Orange County to Seminole County or pass through a small portion of Seminole, would remain. Commissioners believe FreeBee and its competitors will be able to reach many parts of the sprawling county Lynx doesn't currently serve, boosting transit use throughout the county. FreeBee is used throughout the Miami area as well as other parts of Florida, including downtown Kissimmee. City leaders there recently expanded the service after data showed an uptick in ridership last year. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
My biggest problems as a high school teacher ― none were the school's fault
Here we go! It's the obligatory but all-important EDUCATION column. But let's skip the ivory tower talk. I'm writing as a foot soldier ― a teacher who's been in the trenches. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women now make up roughly 60% of the college population. It's one of several reminders that young men are falling behind. But this column isn't just about boys. It's about raising the tide for all boats. Here were the four biggest problems I faced as a high school teacher: 1. Smartphones 2. Absenteeism 3. Sleep deprivation 4. Incomplete homework Let's pause to acknowledge something: Policing these issues isn't the school's job ― it's the parents'. Warning — Put on your bib. On the menu is humble pie. Please, please, please read on. According to Statista, 95% of teenagers now own a smartphone. (Oddly, only 90% of adults do.) These weapons of mass distraction should be regulated with the same urgency we apply to gun safety. While Oklahoma's new Bell-to-Bell-No-Cell law may reduce screen time during school hours, the rest is on parents. Next up: Attendance. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, 1 in 5 students is chronically absent, meaning they miss at least 10% of the school year. Parents, it's your job to get your kids to the school's front doors every morning. And guess what? There's a free Uber-like service already in place. It's called the school bus. More: Worried about porn in libraries? Do you know what your child is looking at on their phone? If your child is sleeping through class, they're effectively absent. Kids are young mammals. And all young mammals need sleep. What's your household policy? A.) Lights out and phones off, or B.) Midnight scroll-a-thons and TikTok marathons? As for homework, there's a direct correlation between doing it and succeeding in the classroom. Do parents need to be tutors? Absolutely not. There are hundreds of excellent YouTube videos on every subject. But someone still needs to proctor the homework habit. While I have your attention, the icing on the cake would be weed-free, polite kids who come to school with an attitude to learn. These are your family's representatives ― not the school's. Now, schools ― it's your turn. You've been entrusted with educating the next generation of CEOs, community leaders and public servants. Even the future president of the United States is a student somewhere. The stakes couldn't be higher. Every other year, the NAEP issues the 'Nation's Report Card,' testing fourth- and eighth-graders nationwide in reading and math. Contrary to popular belief, it does not rank states 1–50. But here's how Oklahoma performed: Reading proficiency ― fourth grade: 23% (national average: 30%); eighth grade: 20% (national average: 29%) Math proficiency ― fourth grade: 31% (national average: 39%); eighth grade: 17% (national average: 27%) If you must know how Oklahoma ranks nationally, try 43rd, 48th and 49th ― per U.S. News & World Report, EdWeek and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, respectively. Rather than focus on the fundamentals of reading and math, too many decision-makers seem more interested in sparking culture wars with trigger words like "woke agenda," "Bibles" and "terrorists." It's like jangling keys to distract from what really matters. God forbid educators hold themselves accountable. More: I'm a former high school teacher. We need DEI, but discourse must center on civility | Opinion And here's a stat you don't hear much about: According to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, per-student spending has risen from $9,067 in 2017 to $13,736 in 2024. That's a 51% increase! Even accounting for temporary federal COVID relief (which ended last September), that's significant. All the money went to teacher pay and smaller classrooms. I'm JOKING! State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and school districts, when ― if ever –― does the buck stop with you? After 38 years in Los Angeles, K. John Lee recently boomeranged back to his Oklahoma roots. He is a financier, real estate investor, former high school teacher and a father of two young men. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Schools can't fix all the problems with education | Opinion
