amynicole – Tesla officially launched its robotaxi service over the weekend, marking a milestone in its autonomous vehicle ambitions. The rollout started with a limited number of vehicles and included significant human supervision, both on-site and remote. This cautious approach stands in contrast to Tesla’s earlier promises of full autonomy, but it may be necessary.
Despite the scaled-back deployment, early tests revealed troubling issues. One incident captured on video showed a Tesla robotaxi briefly driving on the wrong side of the road. While the system self-corrected—or was remotely assisted—the moment raised immediate safety questions about the readiness of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology. Tesla’s robotaxis operate under constant observation, with in-car supervisors and remote monitoring systems ready to intervene. Still, early footage indicates that human intervention may not always occur when needed, adding to public concern.
On-Road Incident Sparks Safety Debate
A video posted to X by Rob Maurer, and later highlighted by Bloomberg, shows one of Tesla’s robotaxis swerving unexpectedly. Around seven minutes into the recorded ride, the vehicle’s steering wheel jerked side to side before the car crossed a double-yellow line and briefly entered the wrong lane.
As the car corrected itself, a horn honked—likely from an approaching vehicle—emphasizing the danger of the situation. The in-car supervisor appeared not to intervene during the event. It remains unclear whether the vehicle’s software or a remote operator corrected the maneuver.
Tesla has not publicly commented on the specific incident. However, the footage has fueled fresh scrutiny of the safety and maturity of its autonomous driving system, especially as the company aims to remove steering wheels entirely in future Cybercab models.
Speeding and Inconsistent Behavior Reported
In addition to the wrong-lane incident, early robotaxi users reported other questionable driving behaviors. Some riders observed the robotaxis exceeding posted speed limits in certain areas. While these moments could reflect flow-of-traffic decisions, they contrast with how competitors like Waymo handle speed compliance.
Waymo, which also operates in cities like Austin, maintains strict adherence to speed limits regardless of surrounding traffic. Tesla’s looser behavior raises questions about how its Full Self-Driving system interprets real-world road dynamics. The inconsistency may point to Tesla’s desire for its system to mimic human drivers. However, when safety is at stake, such behavior introduces uncertainty into public roads—especially when driverless vehicles are involved.
Full Self-Driving System Faces Ongoing Scrutiny
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software has long drawn criticism from safety experts and regulators. The recent robotaxi incidents have only intensified scrutiny, particularly as Tesla prepares to release steering wheel-free vehicles like the Cybercab.
Earlier this month, The Dawn Project staged a demonstration where a Tesla running Full Self-Driving repeatedly failed to detect child-sized mannequins. The car hit them eight times during the test, further stoking public safety concerns.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues investigating the software’s involvement in at least four crashes. These ongoing reviews suggest Tesla’s system may not yet meet the safety standards required for full autonomy.
What Tesla’s Launch Means for Autonomous Driving
Tesla’s cautious launch of its robotaxi service shows the company recognizes the high stakes of public road testing. The early incidents, however, reveal that Tesla’s technology may not yet be ready for broad, unsupervised use.
Public and regulatory pressure will likely shape the future of Tesla’s autonomous plans. Each road test becomes a high-profile demonstration of either progress or failure. The company’s goal to eliminate steering wheels entirely in future models will face major obstacles unless safety improves. In the evolving race toward autonomous transportation, Tesla must strike a delicate balance between innovation and reliability. The lessons from its early robotaxi trials will influence the direction and trustworthiness of its entire driverless future.
