Tesla’s plan to deploy a paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, this June has triggered a detailed inquiry from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is demanding answers about the safety and technical readiness of Tesla’s autonomous vehicles, especially in challenging weather conditions. The probe comes as part of NHTSA’s ongoing investigation into crashes involving Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (FSD) system in situations with reduced visibility.
NHTSA Probes Robotaxi Safety and Oversight
In a letter made public this week, NHTSA asked Tesla to provide extensive details about its robotaxi project, including the number of vehicles that will participate, the deployment schedule, and whether robotaxis will be supervised or monitored by Tesla in real time. The agency is also demanding information about the technology’s performance in adverse conditions such as sun glare, fog, rain, snow, and airborne dust.
The letter specifically questions Tesla about:
- The sensors, cameras, and software used to ensure safe robotaxi operation in both supervised and unsupervised modes.
- Procedures for handling poor visibility situations encountered during rides.
- Whether Tesla adheres to any industry standards for driving automation systems, fully or in part.
NHTSA is seeking this information to assess “the ability of Tesla’s system to react appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions.” Tesla has not yet commented on the request.
Background: Ongoing Investigations and High-Profile Incidents
Since October, NHTSA has been investigating 2.4 million Teslas equipped with FSD after four collisions occurred in conditions with low visibility. In one tragic November 2023 case, a pedestrian was killed in Arizona when struck by a Tesla Model Y operating in FSD mode. Another fatality happened in April 2024, when a Tesla Model S in full self-driving mode hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle.
In December 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles in the U.S. to add safety measures to its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. NHTSA continues to assess whether that recall was sufficient to address persistent risks, particularly that drivers may not be paying adequate attention during semi-automated driving.
Key Issues: Weather, Oversight, and Industry Standards
NHTSA’s inquiry highlights several challenges facing the launch of commercial robotaxi services:
- How the autonomous system deals with rapidly changing or difficult weather conditions, which have played a role in previous crashes.
- Whether robotaxi rides will be monitored live by Tesla employees or allowed to operate fully unsupervised.
- If Tesla’s technology aligns with established safety and automation standards, or if it operates by its own protocols.
Federal regulators are also pressing Tesla on what actions are taken when poor visibility is encountered mid-ride, a crucial point for passenger and public safety.
The Road Ahead for Tesla’s Robotaxi Ambitions
Tesla’s robotaxi rollout comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for all self-driving vehicle companies, following recent recalls from competitors like Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox after incidents involving their autonomous fleets. For Tesla, the questions from NHTSA signal that regulators are not willing to grant a free pass on safety or transparency as robotaxi technology enters public use.
Whether Tesla can satisfy federal safety requirements—and prove its system’s reliability in all real-world conditions—will be critical as it seeks to commercialize driverless ride-hailing in U.S. cities.
