WASHINGTON — U.S. auto safety regulators are demanding answers from Tesla regarding the company’s upcoming paid robotaxi service set to launch in Austin, Texas, this June. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has specifically asked Tesla to clarify how its vehicles will handle poor weather conditions and reduced roadway visibility, raising questions about the safety of the automaker’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
NHTSA’s letter, made public on Monday, highlights an ongoing investigation into Tesla FSD-related collisions that have occurred during low-visibility conditions such as fog, rain, airborne dust, and sun glare. Regulators are seeking more information on Tesla’s approach to ensuring robotaxi safety under such circumstances, as well as specific details about the deployment plans and the underlying technology.
The agency wants Tesla to disclose:
- How many vehicles will be used as robotaxis in Austin
- The expected timeline for the rollout of robotaxi technology to drivers other than Tesla employees
- Whether Tesla will monitor or supervise robotaxi operations in real time
- What measures are in place if poor visibility is encountered during a ride
- Technical details about the robotaxi’s sensors and camera systems
- Whether Tesla’s technology complies with any industry standards for automated driving systems
This inquiry comes in the wake of several incidents involving Tesla’s FSD technology. NHTSA began investigating 2.4 million Tesla vehicles last October after four collisions were reported during periods of low visibility, including a fatal crash in Arizona in 2023. In December, Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles to update its Autopilot system and add new safety features, but federal officials are still reviewing whether these changes are adequate.
There have been at least two fatal crashes involving Tesla’s FSD mode. The most recent occurred in April 2024, when a Model S operating in full self-driving mode struck and killed a motorcyclist in the Seattle area.
Tesla has not yet commented on NHTSA’s latest request for information. The agency continues to scrutinize how autonomous vehicle technology interacts with real-world road conditions, especially as more automakers prepare to launch similar services.
