Federal Safety Regulators Contact Tesla Following Robotaxi Launch in Austin

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has contacted Tesla after the company began offering rides in its robotaxis in Austin, Texas. This outreach follows the online circulation of videos that appear to show Tesla's robotaxis violating traffic laws in South Austin, where the service is currently available to invited customers. NHTSA confirmed its communication with Tesla, stating, "NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information." The agency emphasized its commitment to enforcing safety standards and investigating potential safety defects. Tesla's robotaxi service, which commenced on Sunday, provides paid rides to selected customers in South Austin. This limited launch serves as an initial test of the company's autonomous vehicle technology. While Tesla offers its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software to vehicle owners—an advanced driver-assistance system requiring driver supervision—the robotaxis are equipped with an unsupervised version of FSD. Specific details about this software have not been disclosed by the company. The robotaxis, which customers can summon via an app, are designed to operate autonomously. However, a human safety monitor is present in the front passenger seat during these rides. Online videos have depicted instances of Tesla's robotaxis exceeding speed limits and, in one case, swerving into the wrong lane. Additionally, reports indicate that a Tesla robotaxi abruptly applied its brakes on two occasions without apparent reason, particularly when approaching police vehicles parked adjacent to the roadway.