NHTSA Investigates Tesla for Robotaxi Lane Discipline Violations and Speed Limit Infractions

$NHTSA Investigates Tesla for Robotaxi Lane Discipline Violations and Speed Limit Infractions$

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Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch Under Scrutiny

Despite Tesla’s optimistic portrayal of its robotaxi introduction on Sunday, evidence from various videos is casting doubts on this flawless depiction. Recent reports by Bloomberg indicate that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reached out to Tesla regarding potential violations observed during the robotaxi operation.

Details of the Alleged Violations

One concerning incident highlighted involved a Tesla robotaxi that appeared to disregard traffic laws. In a 12-second clip, the vehicle was seen frequently attempting to veer into oncoming traffic before correcting its path by crossing a double-yellow line. Additionally, footage shared by Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt illustrated a robotaxi accelerating to 35 mph in a 30 mph speed zone.

Tesla’s Safety Measures

In an attempt to mitigate these safety risks, Tesla implemented several precautions. Each robotaxi features an employee in the front passenger seat, who has immediate access to commands for “emergency stop”and “pull over”through a specialized interface. Furthermore, all robotaxi trips are under the vigilant watch of teleoperators, whose role includes taking control if an emergency arises.

NHTSA Engagement and Questions of Transparency

In light of these incidents, Tesla has formally requested that the NHTSA handle responses to a robotaxi-focused questionnaire confidentially. This action raises questions about the company’s commitment to transparency regarding the safety performance of its autonomous vehicles.

Comparing Tesla’s FSD with Competitors

It’s essential to note that, despite the buzz around Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, it is currently categorized as a Level 2 autonomous driving system. In contrast, Waymo’s system is classified as Level 4, indicating a significantly higher level of automation and reliability. Waymo’s services are operational in cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin, utilizing an extensive fleet of approximately 1, 500 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, each outfitted with advanced sensors, including LiDAR and 360-degree cameras.

Technological Comparisons: Sensors and Neural Networks

Tesla’s approach relies on an interconnected neural network paired with high-definition cameras, which the company claims can “count individual photons.”However, some experts remain skeptical about the efficacy of Tesla’s camera technology in achieving such precision.

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