Tesla is testing a new robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, utilizing Model Y SUVs equipped with the latest automated driving software and hardware. This groundbreaking new service is doing so under highly restrictive conditions. At Tesla, employees remotely supervise the process and a human safety supervisor is seated in the front passenger seat. Currently, this service runs only during the day. It needs optimal weather conditions and is restricted to roads with no more than 40 mile per hour speed limit.
This development comes as California regulators clarify that Tesla is not authorized to operate autonomous vehicles for passenger transport on public roads in the state. Furthermore, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has stated emphatically that Tesla can’t test autonomous vehicles or transport the public without a driver. This safety rule allows time for the technology to further develop. In California, the company is responsible for making sure that there’s a human driver in control at all times while engaging in such operations.
Tesla’s new robotaxi service in Austin is the latest case to test the waters of transparency, particularly with local governments. Members of the Marin County Board of Supervisors were apparently kept in the dark about Tesla’s plans. Hazel Crest Supervisor Brian Colbert said while he was open to the idea, he rebuked Tesla for poor communication on their part.
“They should have done a better job about informing the community about the launch,” – Brian Colbert.
Colbert’s sentiments reflect broader concerns about the implications of Tesla’s autonomous vehicle initiatives. Moulton-Peters, another member of county supervisor, reflected on the issue. He understood that community responses to transportation service cuts or changes can be unpredictable.
“The news of change coming always has mixed results in the community,” – Moulton-Peters.
Moulton-Peters emphasized the importance of communication from Tesla to the local community regarding its operations, stating, “I certainly expect they will tell us and I think it’s a good business practice to do that.”
Now, notwithstanding the excitement around Tesla’s innovations, the company is under fire for its past marketing misdeeds. The CPUC has publicly called out Tesla for falsely advertising its driver assistance systems to consumers. Regrettably, these systems were once sold, and missold, as Autopilot and FSD. Whether or not these allegations hold merit, they do highlight the necessity for transparency and truthfulness in Tesla’s claims regarding its technology.
Tesla’s robotaxi initiative in Austin highlights both the potential for advancements in automated transportation and the regulatory challenges faced by companies navigating this evolving landscape. As Tesla continues to expand its offerings, the company must adhere to existing regulations while ensuring that local communities are informed and engaged.