Tesla’s robotaxi launch faces federal scrutiny after traffic violations

Tesla’s launch of its robotaxi service in Austin has raised concerns among federal regulators. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reached out to the automaker after multiple videos surfaced showing its robotaxis breaking traffic laws in the area. The robotaxis, equipped with Tesla’s unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, were seen exceeding speed limits and swerving into wrong lanes. A video from an observer showed one robotaxi braking unexpectedly near police vehicles. Although Tesla’s FSD system is sold to owners as an advanced driver-assistance system, the robotaxis are meant to operate autonomously, with a human safety monitor onboard. The NHTSA has confirmed that it is investigating the situation, stating it is aware of the incidents and will take necessary actions to ensure road safety. This development highlights the challenges of deploying autonomous vehicle technology in real-world environments and the need for regulatory oversight. Tesla has yet to comment on the specifics of the software or the incidents in question, but the scrutiny signals that regulators are closely watching the emerging robotaxi market.