The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a detailed set of questions to Tesla regarding its upcoming robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, scheduled for launch in June. This inquiry is part of a broader investigation into the performance of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, particularly in low-visibility conditions.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is seeking comprehensive information to assess how Tesla plans to evaluate its vehicles and driving automation technologies for use on public roads. The agency’s concerns are heightened by previous incidents where Tesla’s FSD system was active during crashes in reduced visibility scenarios, such as sun glare, fog, and airborne dust. One such incident, which occurred in November 2023 in Rimrock, Arizona, resulted in a fatality. In that case, a 71-year-old woman was struck and killed by a Tesla Model Y while the vehicle was operating in FSD mode under low-visibility conditions.
Tesla has acknowledged plans to launch a paid ride-hailing robotaxi service in Austin using its own fleet of vehicles. A post on X (formerly Twitter) dated April 23 indicated that the FSD Supervised ride-hailing service was already live for an early set of employees in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. According to the post, over 1,500 trips and 15,000 miles had been completed, helping Tesla develop and validate various aspects of the service, including the FSD network, mobile app, vehicle allocation, mission control, and remote assistance operations.
The NHTSA’s letter to Tesla, published on May 12, requests detailed information about the upcoming robotaxi service. Specifically, the agency is seeking clarification on the fleet size, the vehicle models to be used, and how Tesla plans to ensure the safety of its robotaxi operations in reduced roadway visibility conditions. The NHTSA is particularly interested in understanding whether the automated driving system in the planned robotaxis is the same as, or similar to, the FSD Supervised system currently in use.
The investigation into Tesla’s FSD system is not new. In October 2024, the NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into Tesla’s FSD software following reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions. The agency identified four incidents where Tesla vehicles experienced crashes after entering areas with reduced roadway visibility while FSD was engaged. These incidents included a fatal pedestrian crash in Arizona and another involving a reported injury. The NHTSA’s evaluation aims to assess the ability of FSD’s engineering controls to detect and respond appropriately to reduced visibility conditions and to determine whether any updates or modifications to the system may affect its performance in such conditions.
Tesla’s reliance on a vision-only approach for its FSD system, which utilizes cameras and artificial intelligence without additional sensors like LiDAR or radar, has been a point of contention. Critics argue that this approach may not be sufficient to ensure safe operation in low-visibility conditions. In contrast, other companies working on autonomous vehicles, such as Waymo, employ sensor-rich systems that include radar and LiDAR to enhance perception capabilities. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has defended the company’s strategy, emphasizing the scalability and cost-effectiveness of a vision-based system. However, the recent incidents have raised questions about the adequacy of this approach, particularly in challenging driving environments.
As the NHTSA continues its investigation, the outcome could have significant implications for Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions. The agency’s findings may lead to recommendations for system modifications or even regulatory actions if safety concerns are not adequately addressed. With the planned robotaxi service in Austin just around the corner, Tesla faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that its FSD technology can operate safely and effectively in all driving conditions.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the meantime, Tesla’s stock has shown resilience. As of the latest trading session, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) shares were priced at $318.38, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous close. Despite challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector, investor optimism persists, partly due to the company’s advancements in electric vehicle technology and its ambitious plans for the future.
