The innovative solutions proposed by Tesla may have caught the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). After the company planned a rollout of a Robotaxi platform in Austin, Texas, the authorities contacted Tesla to search for some answers. Demanding explanations about a key feature of the Robotaxi platform, de NHTSA sent an email to Tesla Field Quality Director Eddit Gates, and is now waiting for the answers. Depending on the results, Elon Musk’s company could face some problems with its new service. Tesla has until June 19 to respond to the request.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking information about the Robotaxi service
The Tesla Field Quality Director was surprised by a letter sent by the NHTSA regarding the plans to roll out a Robotaxi platform in Austin, Texas. After announcing a new version of the service, which is already performing in Austin and San Francisco, the company may face some legal problems.
Recently, Tesla has started operating a version of the Robotaxi platform for employees in both cities. This version, which will be available for a limited time, has completed thousands of rides supervised closely by a driver sitting in the driver’s seat, which exclusively ensures the safety of the primary version of the program, besides not being responsible for driving the car. The new version, which could be rolled out in Austin in the coming weeks, does not rely on drivers to realize its rides.
On May 8, the company was asked by NHTSA to explain how the Robotaxi would ensure passengers’ safety in poor weather conditions. The main need is to clarify how Tesla’s technology and operational use cases will react to reduced roadway visibility conditions. In addition, the company must explain its plans to evaluate its vehicles and driving automation systems for public roads.
Depending on the answers, Elon Musk’s company may face some concerns. We should remember that some decisions regarding other releases have already put Tesla in a bad position with customers.
The “Full Self-Driving” program is under investigation
With the request, NHTSA wants to know some details regarding the safety of Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) program, which is kept secret by the company. To justify its requests, the agency said the purpose of the “Preliminary Evaluation of FSD” was to assess three key points that may help evaluate the program security:
- The ability to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions;
- If there are registers of similar FSD crashes due to visibility conditions, and if so, the circumstances of those accidents.
- Any update that may affect the performance of FSD in reduced roadway visibility conditions, and its safety impact.
The complete version of the Information Request ID PE24031- 02 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was published for NHTSA on May 8. It is part of a major investigation titled “FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions”, which was opened on October 17.
Tesla has until June 19 to respond, or it will face legal consequences
Famous for avoiding releasing any information about its FSD program, Tesla may face legal consequences if it does not provide the information requested by NHTSA. The company has until June 19 to respond to the agency, or a penalty up to USD$ 27,874 per violation per day should be applied.
To some critics, the company’s stance on keeping its projects secret is concerning and may lead Tesla to difficult situations. In addition to the secrets surrounding the FSD project, the company also has other secret projects that are about to surprise the public on their launch date, such as previous releases made by Elon Musk’s company.