Tesla has been contacted by federal safety regulators one day after the automaker commenced offering transportation in its branded robotaxis in Austin.
Tesla was contacted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following the publication of numerous online recordings that purportedly depicted Tesla robotaxis violating traffic laws in South Austin, where the company is offering rides to invited customers.
According to Bloomberg, Tesla was initially contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA verified to TechCrunch that it has reached out to the automaker.
The company stated in an email that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is cognizant of the incidents in question and is currently communicating with the manufacturer to obtain further information.
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will persist in its enforcement of the law against all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment, in compliance with the Vehicle Safety Act and our data-driven, risk-based investigative process.”
NHTSA is not authorized to pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems in the United States. Instead, manufacturers must certify that each vehicle complies with NHTSA’s stringent safety standards, and the agency is responsible for investigating incidents involving potential safety defects.
After evaluating those reports and other pertinent data, NHTSA will implement any required measures to safeguard road safety.
Tesla provided paid transportation to invited customers in South Austin on Sunday. Although the launch is restricted in scale and scope, it represents the automaker’s initial test of autonomous vehicle technology.
Tesla does offer its branded Full Self-Driving Supervised software to its vehicle owners. When activated, the FSD is responsible for steering and braking. Nevertheless, it is regarded as a sophisticated driver assistance system that necessitates the driver to maintain their hands on the wheel.
Tesla robotaxis are equipped with an unsupervised variant of FSD, although the company has not disclosed any specifics regarding this software.
Customers can summon robotaxis through an application designed to operate autonomously. Tesla robotaxis are distinguished by a human “safety monitor” in the front passenger position during these excursions.
The Tesla robotaxis are depicted in online videos exceeding the speed limit and, in one instance, entering the incorrect lane.
TechCrunch reported on Sunday that Ed Niedermeyer, the author of “Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors,” was in Austin to monitor the robotaxi rollout. Niedermeyer captured video of a Tesla-branded robotaxi abruptly hitting its brakes twice without explanation.
The Tesla applied the brakes in both instances as it approached police vehicles in parking lots adjacent to the roadway, as evidenced by a video that TechCrunch has recently viewed and has since been posted on YouTube.
