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Tesla robotaxi incidents caught on camera in Austin draw regulators’ attention
PUBLISHED MON, JUN 23 20256:54 PM EDTUPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Lora Kolodny@IN/LORAKOLODNY/
WATCH LIVE
KEY POINTS
- NHTSA pressed Tesla for more information about robotaxi incidents caught on camera and shared widely Monday on social media.
- Tesla started its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, this weekend with 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles equipped with its newest driverless technology, and a human valet in the front passenger seat.
- The rollout led to an 8% spike in Tesla shares on Monday.
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A Tesla robotaxi drives on the street along South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, on June 22, 2025
Joel Angel Juarez | Reuters
Tesla was contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Monday after
videos posted on social media showed the company’s robotaxis driving in a chaotic manner on public roads in Austin, Texas.
Elon Musk’s electric vehicle maker debuted autonomous trips in
Austin on Sunday, opening the service to a limited number of riders by invitation only.
In the videos shared widely online, one Tesla robotaxi was spotted traveling the wrong way down a road, and another was shown
braking hard in the middle of traffic, responding to “stationary police vehicles outside its driving path,” among several other examples.
A spokesperson for NHTSA said in an email that the agency “is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.”
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, and regulatory counsel Casey Blaine didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The federal safety regulator says it doesn’t “pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems.” Instead, automakers certify that each vehicle model they make meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The agency says it will investigate “incidents involving potential safety defects,” and take “necessary actions to protect road safety,” after assessing a wide array of reports and information.