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- U.S. auto regulators are reviewing Tesla’s robotaxi safety protocols just days before a public test is scheduled in Austin.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is focused on how Tesla’s autonomous tech handles adverse weather.
- Tesla is pushing ahead with a limited robotaxi launch amid broader regulatory concerns and recent production halts.
- The timing of the NHTSA probe could influence public and legal perceptions ahead of Tesla’s Texas rollout.
As Tesla gears up for a limited rollout of its highly anticipated robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a fresh review of the company’s autonomous vehicle technology, focusing specifically on its performance under adverse weather conditions.
This regulatory development , which comes just days before the scheduled June 22 test launch, marks a critical moment in Tesla’s broader push toward full autonomy.
The federal agency confirmed it received documentation from Tesla by a June 19 deadline, responding to requests for detailed information on how the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software functions in rain, fog, and other challenging environments. According to the NHTSA, these materials are now under evaluation and will be included in Tesla’s public safety records.
Pilot Test Moves Forward Despite Safety Concerns
This review adds new pressure to Tesla at a time when it faces mounting questions over the safety and reliability of its self-driving technology. The upcoming pilot test will reportedly involve a small group of passengers riding in Tesla vehicles supervised by employees in the front passenger seat, though no human driver will be actively steering.
Tesla’s decision to push forward with the robotaxi service echoes years of effort to position the company as a pioneer in autonomous mobility. But critics point to a troubling history of accidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD systems, many of which stemmed from the vehicle’s failure to detect hazards like crossing trucks or pedestrians. Investigations into several fatal incidents have found that drivers often relied too heavily on the technology, sometimes removing their hands from the wheel entirely.
Production Pause at Austin Factory
Compounding Tesla’s challenges is a recent production pause at its Austin facility, which affected both the Cybertruck and Model Y lines. Scheduled to begin on June 30, the week-long shutdown is officially described as a maintenance break, but analysts suggest it may reflect deeper issues related to manufacturing efficiency and the integration of new technologies like FSD into production.
Tesla has not commented publicly on the robotaxi review or the Austin plant downtime. However, the convergence of regulatory scrutiny and operational disruptions raises critical questions about the company’s readiness to scale autonomous services while maintaining production quality.
Critics Question Robotaxi Branding
Public safety groups continue to sound alarms over the FSD branding itself, arguing it misleads users into thinking the technology is more capable than it actually is. Studies have shown that drivers often engage in distracted behavior when the system is active, contributing to elevated crash risks under certain conditions, particularly at night or during left-hand turns.
The coming days will be pivotal. With the Texas pilot set to proceed and the NHTSA’s review ongoing, Tesla’s push into autonomous mobility faces both technological and regulatory headwinds. Whether the company can convince regulators, the public, and the market that its robotaxi vision is truly road-ready remains an open question.
