Recent reports from Texas, particularly Austin, indicate that Tesla's new robotaxi service is experiencing numerous driving mistakes during its test rollout. While some Tesla enthusiasts and invited riders have shared positive experiences, a significant number of videos and observations highlight concerning issues.
Here's a summary of the reported driving mistakes and concerns:
* Entering Wrong Lanes: Several instances show robotaxis driving into lanes meant for oncoming traffic or incorrectly entering a lane from a turning position. In one case, a robotaxi reportedly drove in an opposing lane for nearly six seconds.
* Sudden Braking (Phantom Braking): Vehicles have been observed braking abruptly without any apparent obstruction or reason. This "phantom braking" is a known issue with Tesla's camera-only vision system, which can sometimes misinterpret shadows, road markings, or other visual cues as obstacles, leading to unnecessary emergency stops.
* Improper Drop-offs: Passengers have reported being dropped off in the middle of multiple-lane roads or at busy intersections, creating potentially unsafe situations.
* Speeding: In some instances, the robotaxis have reportedly exceeded speed limits, such as accelerating to 26 mph in a 15 mph zone.
* Driving Over Curbs: Minor but still problematic incidents of the vehicles driving over curbs have been documented.
* Failure to Respond to Obstructions/Situations: One video reportedly showed a robotaxi failing to notice a reversing UPS truck while attempting to park, requiring human intervention from the safety monitor. Another showed a car braking abruptly as it passed police vehicles that were not in its driving path.
* Erratic Steering: Some videos depict the steering wheel wobbling or jerking erratically, particularly when the car misinterprets a turn or a lane.
These early missteps have drawn the attention of federal regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that it is aware of the incidents and is in contact with Tesla to gather additional information. The agency emphasizes that it does not pre-approve such technologies and that manufacturers are responsible for certifying their vehicles meet federal safety standards.
Experts in autonomous technology, like Philip Koopman from Carnegie Mellon University, have expressed surprise at the volume of problematic driving videos appearing so early in the public test. While Tesla still operates these vehicles with human safety monitors in the front passenger seat, the incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in developing truly autonomous driving systems that can reliably handle the complexities and unpredictability of real-world road conditions.
This public scrutiny comes as Tesla faces increasing pressure regarding its "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) software and its ambitious robotaxi plans, which Elon Musk sees as a crucial part of the company's future. The incidents in Texas underscore that despite advancements, significant hurdles remain in achieving widespread, safe, and reliable autonomous vehicle deployment.
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