The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States has reached out to Tesla after a video surfaced on social media showing their newly-launched self-driving cars breaking traffic laws.
Tesla’s long-awaited robotaxis, which CEO Elon Musk considers to be crucial to the company’s future, were tested on public roads for the first time in Austin, Texas on Sunday. However, online videos appear to show instances where the vehicles, with a safety driver in the passenger seat, were driving erratically.
The NHTSA released a statement saying they are “aware of the incidents mentioned and are in communication with the manufacturer to gather more information.” The BBC has also contacted Tesla for a response.
Despite the significance Musk places on the robotaxi project, the launch on Sunday was relatively low-key. A small group of analysts, influencers, and shareholders were invited to participate in paid rides. Musk praised Tesla’s artificial intelligence and chip design teams in a post on X, stating that it was the “culmination of a decade of hard work.”
However, footage on social media appears to show the vehicles struggling with real-world driving situations. One video shows a robotaxi abruptly stopping as it passes a parked police car, while another shows cars speeding and swerving into the wrong lane, according to tech news outlet TechCrunch.
The launch is limited to 12 taxis and Tesla has stated that they will not operate in bad weather, attempt difficult intersections, or transport passengers under the age of 18. Analysts have already noted that this small-scale launch highlights how far behind Tesla is compared to its competitors.
Companies such as Waymo, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Amazon’s Zoox, already offer self-driving taxi rides in Austin, as well as in San Francisco, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Fully driverless cars have also been tested on public roads in other countries, including China, UAE, and Singapore, but their safety compared to human-driven cars is still being investigated.
Tesla is using a different technology than its competitors, relying on in-car cameras instead of radar and sensors. The company is banking on their approach being more cost-effective and therefore more appealing to consumers. However, there have been concerns raised about the safety of their technology.
The NHTSA has clarified that they do not pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for certifying that their vehicles meet the NHTSA’s strict safety standards, and the agency investigates any incidents involving potential safety defects.